MTN Emphasises Media Role In Strengthening Nigeria-S’Africa Relations

MTN Nigeria has called on journalists to use responsible, contextual and accurate reporting to promote stronger relations between Nigeria and South Africa, rather than amplify stereotypes and tensions.

The call was made during the 2026 MTN Media Innovation Summit held at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa, under the theme, “Media and Social Cohesion in a Divided World: Spotlighting Nigeria-South Africa Relations.”

The two-day summit, held from September 1 to 2, brought together media practitioners, academics, diplomats and other stakeholders from both countries.

These were contained in a statement by the organisation and made available to the media on Wednesday.

The summit formed part of the MTN Media Innovation Programme (MIP), a six-month fellowship run in partnership with Pan-Atlantic University and designed to strengthen the skills and capacity of media professionals.

The programme, according to MTN, focuses on media innovation, digital transformation, sustainability, ethics, law and the changing information environment.

Speaking at the summit, Senior External Relations Manager, MTN Nigeria, Funso Aina, urged Nigerian journalists to work with their South African counterparts to promote balanced reporting.

“We believe that if the two biggest economies get it right, Africa will get it right,” Aina said.

He also encouraged journalists to go beyond headlines and provide the context behind developments affecting relations between the two countries.

Aina said the media had an important role to play in shaping public perceptions, adding that journalists must be conscious of the consequences of the information they publish.

The summit also featured a keynote address by Thamsanqa Mseleku, former South African High Commissioner to Nigeria, who reflected on tensions that have affected relations between the two countries.

Mseleku argued that formal diplomacy alone could not address some of the underlying challenges and called for greater attention to issues such as poverty, unemployment, dignity and economic opportunity.

He urged journalists to practise contextual and investigative reporting that uncovers “the story behind the story”, rather than relying on sensational or politically motivated narratives.

The former envoy also noted that media reports and social-media content could either deepen tensions or contribute to better understanding between Nigerians and South Africans.

Dr Ikechukwu Obiaya, Dean of the School of Media and Communication at Pan-Atlantic University, described the programme as an initiative capable of building bridges between the two countries.

“This programme has had a tremendous impact,” Obiaya said, adding that it was consistent with the university’s goal of producing professionals who serve with “initiative and social responsibility.”

Prof. Kammila Naidoo, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Johannesburg, said the summit offered participants an opportunity to establish relationships that could continue beyond the programme.

“Your presence here represents the strength of the partnership between our two institutions and the shared commitment to strengthening media education, professional development and African scholarship,” she said.

Naidoo also warned against the growing influence of misinformation, noting that journalists have a responsibility to verify information and provide context.

“Everybody is a content creator and can rush to the phone to break news,” she said, stressing that journalists must “contextualise, speak the truth, and deep dive to ensure accuracy.”

The summit examined the role of journalism in regional integration, migration reporting, media innovation, digital transformation and social cohesion.

For the Nigerian fellows, the programme also included visits and engagements designed to deepen their understanding of South Africa’s institutions, history and bilateral relationship with Nigeria.

One previous MTN MIP fellow, Adeyemi Adebayo of Africa Independent Television, captured the stakes during an earlier summit, saying: “Misinformation is a diplomatic risk factor, not just a media issue.”

He added: “Right journalism at the right time can prevent war.”

The MTN Media Innovation Programme has now expanded beyond its Nigerian foundation into a Pan-African initiative involving MTN Group, the University of Johannesburg and the African Editors Forum. The inaugural Pan-African cohort comprises 42 journalists, editors and media practitioners from 10 African countries.

The broader programme is intended to equip African media professionals with skills, tools and networks to navigate technological disruption while maintaining ethical standards and public trust.

The summit therefore underscored a message that resonated throughout the discussions: journalism is not merely about reporting events after they happen; it can also influence how societies understand one another.

For Nigeria and South Africa, participants suggested, more informed and responsible reporting could contribute to stronger people-to-people relations and greater understanding across Africa.