Abuja: 10 young Nigerians have graduated from the PRNigeria Young Communication Fellowship Programme, 2026 edition for the Abuja centre, after intensive training on practical skills for professional excellence. The Managing Director of Image Merchants Promotion (IMPR) Ltd., Mr. Yushau Shuaib, announced this at the graduation ceremony of the fellowship programme.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Shuaib revealed that 71 individuals applied for the 2026 edition at the Abuja centre, but only 10 outstanding candidates were selected to participate. The fellowship admits a total of 30 participants annually, selecting 10 each from the centres in Abuja, Kano, and Ilorin. The programme aims to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical skills among young communication graduates.
Shuaib encouraged participants to embrace continuous learning, teamwork, and technology to remain relevant in journalism. He highlighted that the fellowship is designed to bridge the gaps between classroom knowledge and practical communication skills, equipping young communicators with the ability to use artificial intelligence tools responsibly, detect misinformation, and improve the quality of their reports.
Participants also received training in investigative and developmental journalism, preparing them for various communication careers. Shuaib emphasized the need for mentorship, practical training, and guidance to enable young people to contribute meaningfully to society. He also urged young Nigerians to use social media responsibly, promoting patriotism and national development.
The fellowship, now in its third year, has become a residential programme with support from stakeholders. Shuaib mentioned that similar facilities are available in Kano, and the organization is exploring opportunities to extend its social responsibility activities to more areas. The programme’s sustainability is attributed to support from clients, partners, and stakeholders who recognize the importance of developing young communication professionals.
Applicants for the fellowship must be graduates who have completed the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme and be below 30 years old. Shuaib advised graduates to embrace collaboration, teamwork, and continuous learning, especially with the rapid development of artificial intelligence and other technologies transforming journalism.
The National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Alhassan Abdullahi, praised the mentorship of young communicators, emphasizing its importance for preparing the next generation of journalists. Abdullahi called for stronger collaboration with the institute to increase the number of fellows trained annually and highlighted the necessity of mentorship for sustaining the journalism profession.
Alhaji Ismaila Sani, Chairman of Wonderland Television, noted the fellowship’s role in enabling participants to exchange ideas, establish contacts, and acquire valuable communication skills. Sani encouraged the fellows to continue learning, remain creative, and adapt to the evolving communication industry, assuring them of Image Merchants’ continued support.
Miss Oyeyemi Abolade, the 2025 best fellow, spoke about the fellowship’s demands, including sacrifice and commitment, while urging fellows to build strong relationships for growth in journalism. Mariya Bagudo, the 2026 best fellow, expressed gratitude for the recognition and thanked the judges, colleagues, trainers, mentors, and Image Merchants for their contributions to her development. Bagudo noted that the programme strengthened her existing communication skills.