The Press Society (TPS) has announced plans to host a media sensitisation programme aimed at strengthening ethical journalism, professional standards and capacity building across Nigeria’s media landscape.

The organisation is calling on media practitioners, veteran journalists, communication professionals and students to register for the event, which will bring together experts and stakeholders from different segments of the communication industry.

According to TPS, the programme will provide a platform for discussions on media ethics, professional excellence and emerging trends shaping journalism in an increasingly digital world.

The initiative comes at a time when news organisations globally are grappling with challenges including misinformation, declining public trust in media and the rapid evolution of digital communication platforms.

Why it matters

Media experts have repeatedly emphasised the importance of ethical reporting in maintaining public confidence and ensuring accurate information reaches citizens.

Training and sensitisation programmes such as this are increasingly viewed as essential tools for helping journalists navigate complex issues, including fact-checking, responsible reporting and the ethical use of digital technologies.

TPS said the event is designed to provide participants with valuable learning opportunities while encouraging dialogue on challenges and best practices within the profession.

The organisers stated:

“The event will bring together industry experts, stakeholders, and aspiring media professionals for insightful discussions on media ethics, professional standards, and emerging issues shaping contemporary journalism and communication.”

The society added that the programme would also help foster networking opportunities among professionals at different stages of their careers.

Building professional capacity

According to TPS, the sensitisation programme will serve as a platform for knowledge sharing, capacity building and collaboration among individuals committed to advancing responsible journalism.

The organisation noted:

“The sensitisation programme will serve as a platform for knowledge sharing, capacity building, and collaboration among practitioners committed to advancing responsible and impactful journalism.”

Industry observers say such engagements can play a significant role in strengthening newsroom standards and encouraging greater accountability within the media sector.

For students and early-career journalists, the programme could also provide direct access to experienced practitioners and mentors, offering practical insights into the realities of modern journalism.

Registration details

Interested participants have been encouraged to register ahead of the programme through the designated registration portal.

Registration Link:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1N_9i6uF3BBL_nYathe8ais0Ia0CYfpF7Lgue40vlrM0/edit?usp=drivesdk

TPS urged eligible participants not to miss the opportunity to engage with industry leaders, expand professional networks and contribute to the continued development of journalism and communication practice.

What’s next?

The event is expected to attract journalists, communication experts, academics and students from across the country, creating a forum for discussions on the future of journalism and the role of ethics in maintaining public trust.

As the media industry continues to evolve, initiatives focused on professional development and ethical standards are likely to remain central to efforts aimed at strengthening journalism’s role in society.

The Nigeria Customs Service has opened a four-day workshop for journalists in Abuja to deepen public understanding of its ongoing Trade Modernisation Project and broader institutional reforms.

The training, which began on Wednesday and runs until 9 May 2026, brings together journalists from media organisations across Nigeria to learn about customs automation, digital trade systems and inspection technologies.

Officials say the initiative is part of efforts to improve transparency and ensure accurate reporting on reforms expected to reshape Nigeria’s trade and border management system.

Speaking on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Timi Bomodi said the media plays a critical role in helping the public understand the scale and purpose of the reforms.

“A lot is happening within the Service, and sometimes it may be difficult for stakeholders to keep pace with the speed of these developments. That is why engagements like this have become necessary,” Bomodi said.

Why the Customs modernisation project matters

The Trade Modernisation Project is one of the largest digital reform programmes currently underway within the Customs Service.

According to Customs officials, the initiative aims to reduce bottlenecks at ports, simplify trade procedures and create a more predictable environment for businesses importing and exporting goods.

Bomodi said automation and integrated digital platforms would help the agency improve efficiency while reducing opportunities for corruption and delays.

“The Trade Modernisation Project sits at the centre of our transformation journey. Through digital platforms, automation of procedures, and systems integration, we are building a Customs administration that is efficient, transparent, and globally competitive,” he said.

Trade experts have long argued that delays at Nigerian ports increase business costs and discourage investment. Analysts say improved customs processing could help lower logistics expenses and support regional trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Industry stakeholders also believe digital customs systems could improve revenue collection and reduce cargo congestion at major ports.

Media seen as key to reform success

Customs officials repeatedly stressed that public understanding would determine the success of the reforms.

Bomodi described journalists as a bridge between institutions and citizens, saying accurate reporting would help businesses and the wider public understand the benefits of the changes.

“When change happens, stakeholders must understand not just what is changing, but why it is changing. That is where the media becomes indispensable,” he added.

The National Public Relations Officer of Customs, Abdullahi Maiwada, said the workshop was designed to give journalists practical knowledge about the project and the wider transformation agenda. “In this era of global trade and technological advancement, it has become necessary to carry critical stakeholders, particularly the media, along in this journey of transformation,” Maiwada said.

He added that successful customs reform depends not only on technology and infrastructure but also on informed public communication.

Technical sessions focus on inspection systems

Participants at the workshop are expected to receive technical briefings on several customs technologies and operational systems.

Among the presentations is a session on the Integrated Non-Intrusive Inspection System delivered by Nafi’u Salihu.

Other resource persons include Bukola Omoniyi and senior officers involved in ICT and customs modernisation.

Also present at the opening ceremony were Oluyomi Adebakin and Muhammad Shu’aibu.

Industry expectations and public impact

Business groups have consistently called for reforms that would shorten cargo processing times and improve predictability at Nigerian ports.

If successfully implemented, analysts say the modernisation programme could improve Nigeria’s ease of doing business ranking, strengthen trade competitiveness and support economic growth.

Importers and exporters are also expected to benefit from faster document processing, reduced manual intervention and improved transparency in customs operations.

What’s next?

The workshop is expected to conclude on Saturday with additional technical sessions and stakeholder engagements focused on customs automation and trade facilitation.

Officials say further collaborations with the media and private sector stakeholders are likely as implementation of the reforms continues nationwide.

Nigerian journalists have been urged to move beyond political rhetoric and focus on evidence-based accountability, as AdvoKC Foundation hosted a virtual training on using data to track government promises.

The training, titled “Using the Promise Tracker for Evidence-Based Advocacy for Journalists,” was held on Thursday, 29 January 2026, via Google Meet, and brought together reporters, civic advocates, and media practitioners from across the country.

The session introduced participants to AdvoKC Foundation’s Legislative Agenda Meter and Promise Tracker, digital tools designed to monitor political promises and translate legislative data into citizen action.

Why it matters

Across Nigeria, elected officials make sweeping promises during campaigns, many of which fade once elections are concluded.

AdvoKC Foundation says legislative tracking helps citizens and journalists move from trust-based governance to proof-based accountability.

The approach focuses on monitoring bills, motions, voting records, committee participation, campaign promises, and constituency-level commitments made by public office holders.

According to the Foundation, tracking these promises strengthens democracy by improving transparency, credibility, and responsiveness in governance.

From promises to proof

Presenting during the session, Kyla Samuel explained that legislative tracking is not just about collecting data, but about following a promise from announcement to outcome.

She outlined how tracking involves documenting progress, identifying delays, and comparing political rhetoric with what is actually delivered.

Using an electoral reform bill as an example, the presentation showed how stalled legislation can weaken democratic processes and undermine fair representation.

AdvoKC’s response, she noted, includes public awareness campaigns, citizen mobilisation, and sustained pressure on lawmakers to act.

What is the Promise Tracker?

Another session, led by Onyinye Edyson, introduced AdvoKC Foundation as a youth-led civic technology organisation focused on transparency, accountability, and active citizenship.

She described the Promise Tracker as the Foundation’s flagship automated platform for monitoring political commitments.

The tool defines a promise as a verifiable, future-oriented commitment and applies the SMART framework—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound—to distinguish concrete promises from vague political statements.

Promises are sourced from speeches, manifestos, debates, and policy documents.

Tracking is carried out using Freedom of Information requests, verified media reports, government data, and physical project verification.

Each promise is then rated as Not Yet Rated, In the Works, Kept, Broken, Stalled, or Compromised, with updates published on the Promise Tracker website and social media.

Impact on communities

The platform tracks promises across six key sectors, including education, healthcare, infrastructure, governance reforms, justice and security, and the economy.

Impact stories highlighted during the session included the long-delayed Ajuwon/Akute Road in Ogun State and the absence of local government elections in Anambra State for over a decade.

AdvoKC says such examples show how broken or delayed promises affect access to services, democratic participation, and quality of life for ordinary citizens.

Journalism as a driver of accountability

In another presentation, Luqman Adamu described journalism as a catalyst for democratic impact rather than a mere amplifier of official statements.

He said AdvoKC’s communication strategy prioritises clarity, human-centred storytelling, evidence over noise, and action-oriented reporting.

According to him, journalists play a critical role in exposing the human cost of governance failures and investigating gaps between promises and outcomes.

The Foundation also announced the Journalist Support Grant, aimed at supporting reporters to develop investigative and public-interest stories based on promises already tracked on the Promise Tracker platform.

The grant is open to journalists of all experience levels, with proposals expected to be evidence-driven and focused on public accountability.

What’s next

AdvoKC Foundation says it will continue expanding its journalist partnerships, advocacy campaigns, and public engagement through its website, PromiseTracker NG, social media platforms, webinars, and media collaborations.

The organisation is encouraging journalists to follow promises rather than politicians and to tell stories that reflect how governance decisions affect everyday lives.