By: Goodluck E. Adubazi, Abuja.

Nigeria Liquidified Natural Gas (NLNG) has renewed its commitment to strengthening professionalism in Nigeria’s media industry with the successful hosting of the 2026 edition of its flagship ‘NLNGChangeYourStory’ Media Capacity-Building Workshop, which trained 32 journalists drawn from print, broadcast, and digital media organisations across the country.

The three-day intensive workshop, which concluded on Wednesday in Abuja, focused on the rapidly changing dynamics of modern journalism, with special emphasis on artificial intelligence, digital communication, audience engagement, and the demands of today’s fast-paced newsroom. Participants were exposed to practical tools and strategies designed to help them remain relevant, credible, and competitive in an increasingly technology-driven media environment.

Organised under NLNG’s widely acclaimed ‘NLNGChangeYourStory’ initiative, the training reinforced the company’s broader commitment to stakeholder capacity development as a core pillar of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) agenda. Through a mix of expert-led sessions, interactive discussions, and hands-on exercises, journalists explored how emerging digital tools can be leveraged to enhance real-time reporting, expand reach beyond national borders, and build meaningful connections with diverse audiences across multiple platforms.

Speaking at the workshop, the General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, NLNG, Mrs. Sophia Horsfall, reaffirmed the company’s belief in capacity development as a catalyst for sustainable national growth, just as she assured Nigeria will be again.

Horsfall described journalism as a noble calling that shapes public opinion, informs citizens, and influences societal progress.

“The ‘NLNGChangeYourStory’ initiative remains one of our key platforms for empowering journalists with the skills, confidence, and mindset required to thrive in an increasingly complex and technology-driven media landscape,” Horsfall said. “As storytellers, journalists play a critical role in educating the public and shaping narratives that drive understanding, accountability, and development.”

She urged participants to apply the knowledge gained from the workshop to amplify their impact and professionalism, expressing optimism that the media would continue to enlighten the public and foster meaningful synergies through impactful storytelling. According to her, such stories align with NLNG’s vision of being a globally competitive energy company that improves lives sustainably.

Horsfall also highlighted NLNG’s long-standing support for media excellence in Nigeria, referencing initiatives such as the NLNG Prize for Energy Reporting at the prestigious Diamond Awards for Media Excellence (DAME), among other interventions aimed at raising industry standards.

Earlier, in her opening remarks, the Manager of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs at NLNG, Mrs. Anne-Marie Palmer-Ikuku, explained that the company is intentional about its investments in media development, recognizing the press as a critical partner in national progress.

“This workshop deliberately moved beyond theory to confront the real pressures facing today’s digital newsroom,” she noted. “Issues such as speed versus accuracy, verification, audience trust, and relevance were central to our discussions. By supporting the development of these competencies, we are contributing to a resilient media ecosystem that produces accurate, impactful journalism capable of shaping public understanding and contributing meaningfully to national development.”

The training was facilitated by renowned digital communication specialist Dan Mason, alongside The Journalism Clinic, led by respected media veteran Mr. Taiwo Obe. Together, they guided participants through practical approaches to digital storytelling, data visualisation, online fact-checking, audience analytics, community building, and the effective management of digital presence.

Speaking on his experience working with Nigerian journalists under the ‘NLNGChangeYourStory’ platform, Mason praised the energy, creativity, and potential within the country’s media landscape.

“Nigeria has one of the most vibrant and energetic media ecosystems I’ve encountered,” he said.

“There is an incredible foundation here to build entrepreneurial journalism — where journalists move from being small cogs in large machines to becoming the driving force behind their own impactful platforms.

The journey with NLNG has been extraordinary, and the level of support has helped turn this initiative into more than a programme — it’s become a community.”

Mason added that the growth of the “NLNGChangeYourStory” initiative into what he described as “a family of passionate storytellers” reflects NLNG’s genuine commitment to empowering the media. Noting that he has worked with many organisations globally, he found the collaboration with NLNG particularly impactful.

Since its inception, the “NLNGChangeYourStory” initiative has empowered over 180 journalists across multiple editions, equipping them with enhanced digital communication, social media, and storytelling skills.

The programme continues to position NLNG as a leading corporate supporter of media development in Nigeria, while helping journalists adapt to the evolving demands of the global information space.

With the successful conclusion of the 2026 workshop, participants returned to their newsrooms better equipped to tell compelling, accurate, and innovative stories that resonate with audiences and contribute to informed public discourse.

Caption: Sophia Horsfall (4th from left), NLNG’s GM, External Relations & Sustainable Development, and participants at the close of the 2026 ‘NLNGChangeYourStory’ Workshop for journalists in Abuja on Wednesday