The Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) has strengthened the capacity of 32 Nigerian journalists with essential knowledge in digital journalism to promote national development, public accountability and responsible storytelling.
The three day training programme was organised under the NLNG Change Your Story Capacity Workshop, #Changeyourstory2026 held in Abuja.
Addressing Participants at the closing ceremony, the General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, NLNG, Dr. Sophia Horsfall, said the Change Your Story initiative reflects NLNG’s deliberate investment in people-centred development that goes beyond physical infrastructure.
“For us at NLNG, that commitment is very intentional. Over the years, we have learned that development is not just about infrastructure, it is also about people,” she said.
Highlighting NLNG’s broader support for the media sector, including the NLNG Prize for Energy Reporting at the Diamond Awards for Media Excellence (DAME), Horsfall emphasised the indispensable role of the media in shaping public understanding, building trust and holding institutions accountable, particularly in complex sectors such as energy.
“When it comes to shaping understanding, building trust, and holding institutions accountable, the media plays a role that simply cannot be replaced,” she stated.
According to her, transparency and openness are core values at NLNG and depend significantly on the existence of a strong, professional and ethical media ecosystem.
“As we close this workshop, I urge you to take what you have learned here back with you. Use it in your everyday work. Ask sharper questions. Double-check facts with confidence. Tell stories that go beyond the headlines,” Horsfall advised the participants.
In her opening remarks, the Manager, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs, NLNG, Anne-Marie Palmer-Ikuku, described the workshop as a demonstration of NLNG’s respect for quality journalism and its commitment to sustaining media capacity.
“NLNG’s goal with this workshop is to equip you with the latest knowledge, tools, and insights that make your work easier, sharper, and more impactful, leveraging your professional ethics, personal accuracy, and digital solutions,” she said.
She explained that the programme provided participants with the opportunity “to explore real-world issues that are shaping modern journalism, such as Innovative storytelling with multimedia tools”.
While noting that the Abuja convergence marked the 16th edition of the initiative since its commencement, Palmer-Ikuku said that over 180 journalists across Nigeria have benefited from the programme, which focuses “on digital skills enhancement, innovative storytelling, combating misinformation, safety, professionalism and leadership.”
“As journalists, you do more than report facts. You interpret issues, and help the public make sense of decisions that affect their lives,” she noted.
In an interview with Voice of Nigeria, the Lead Trainer, Dan Mason, advised participants to embrace continuous learning and practical application of digital tools.
“Keep an open mind, keep learning and just do it. Dive in and do it,” he said.
Responding to concerns about artificial intelligence leading to job losses, Mason explained that AI would change, rather than eliminate, journalism roles.
“It is going to lead to job changes all over the world,” explaining that when used ethically, AI could enhance efficiency and productivity in journalism.
“What people will trust are real people… We have become more important than ever,” Mason concluded.
The workshop, facilitated by the Journalism Clinic led by Taiwo Obe and digital communication specialist Dan Mason, brought together journalists from diverse media institutions to hone their skills in artificial intelligence, digital storytelling, data visualisation, online fact-checking, audience engagement and effective management of digital presence.
Participants drawn from diverse media organisations expressed appreciation to NLNG for equipping them with transformative tools for professional excellence, which they said would help build audience trust and improve journalistic standards.
Lateefah Ibrahim