PidomNigeria journalist, 40 others win INMA’s scholarship

A correspondent with PidomNigeria Digital, Hannah Johnson, alongside 40 other African media professionals, has received the Africa Elevate 2026 Scholarship.

The scholarship was awarded by the International News Media Association to recognise and develop a new generation of media talent across the continent.

This was disclosed in a statement by the association on Tuesday and made available to PidomNigeria Online on Thursday.

According to the statement, the awardees, selected from a competitive pool of 114 applicants from across Africa, represent a broad cross-section of the media industry, including broadcasters, publishers, digital-first media startups, audience engagement teams, newsroom innovators, social media strategists and emerging media leaders navigating the rapidly changing realities of journalism and media business sustainability.

Announcing the awardees, the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of INMA, Earl Wilkinson, said the selected professionals represented an exciting new generation of media thinkers.

“Recipients come from across Eastern, Western, Southern and Northern Africa and include professionals from both established media organisations and emerging digital-native platforms.

“The future of African media will be shaped by leaders who can bridge journalism, audience strategy, technology, and sustainable business models. The Elevate finalists reflect an exciting generation of professionals thinking beyond traditional newsroom boundaries and preparing for a very different media future,” he said.

According to the statement, the programme is designed to expose participants to practical strategies and emerging trends influencing global media companies, while creating stronger professional networks across the African news media ecosystem.

It will be delivered virtually through a series of livestream learning modules, global industry insights and peer engagement sessions coordinated by INMA.

Some of the awardees include Kareem Adijat, editor, Dataphyte, Nigeria; Ifeolukchu Akibayi, head of programmes, Lion FM UNN, Nigeria; Ky Akim, journalist, Burkina 24, Burkina Faso, Ibrahim Abubakari, broadcast journalist, North Star Multimedia, Ghana; Lydia Efelly Akullu, reporter, Nation Media Group Uganda, Uganda, Michael Chisom, head, audience engagement/media data analytics, BusinessDay Media Limited, Nigeria, Mariama P Hallaby, head of programmes, Central University Television, Sierra Leone.

Others are Lilian Kiendi, digital news correspondent, The Kenya Times, Kenya; Jacqueline Lawrence, director, Mbeya Highlands FM, Tanzania; Henry Mlembea, reporter, Love Community Radio, Malawi; Temitope Oyedare, head/digital subscription sales, BusinessDay Media Limited, Nigeria, Africa Bintumukure, journalist/editor, Akeza.net, Burundi; Yaeesh Collins, freelance journalist/content creator, IOL, South Africa, among others.

The Elevate Africa Scholarship Programme was launched in 2025 to support the development of emerging African media talent and help strengthen the long-term sustainability and transformation of the continent’s news industry.