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PRNigeria Opens Applications for 2026 Young Communication Fellowship

Applications have opened for the 2026 PRNigeria Young Communication Fellowship (YCF), a flagship youth‑development programme designed to train the next generation of ethical journalists, strategic communicators and media professionals in Nigeria.

Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR)—publishers of PRNigeria, Economic Confidential, Spokespersons Digest, Tech Digest and other platforms—announced that entries for the third edition of the fellowship opened on June 21, with training scheduled to run from August to October 2026 across PRNigeria Centres in Abuja, Kano and Ilorin.

The programme will admit 30 young Nigerians, selecting 10 fellows per centre for an intensive, practice‑driven training cycle. The fellowship has earned recognition from the SABRE Africa Awards and benefitted from a MacArthur Foundation‑supported initiative.

This year’s theme, “Ethical Communication in the Age of Artificial Intelligence,” reflects rising concerns about misinformation, deepfakes, synthetic media and the ethical dilemmas posed by rapidly evolving digital technologies.

According to IMPR, the fellowship aims to equip young Nigerians with the skills to navigate an increasingly complex information ecosystem while upholding truth, accuracy and public accountability.

The Coordinator of PRNigeria Young Communication Fellowship, Mohammed Dahiru Lawal, described the programme as one of Nigeria’s leading youth‑focused media capacity‑building initiatives since its launch in 2024. He said it was created to bridge the widening generational gap in the communication industry by exposing young talents to real‑world newsroom environments, mentorship and hands‑on professional experience.

“With the older generation gradually retiring, it is essential for young, talented Nigerians to be prepared to take over leadership in the media and communication industry. This fellowship provides that platform—not merely through classroom sessions, but through practical assignments, mentorship and direct exposure to professional practice,” Shuaib said.

The two‑week intensive programme will feature expert‑led masterclasses, newsroom simulations, institutional visits, media production exercises, mentorship sessions and a public showcase of fellows’ projects. Participants will engage with journalists, media lawyers, PR practitioners, government spokespersons, OSINT analysts, fact‑checkers and communication scholars.

Fellows will receive verified digital portfolios, certificates of completion and automatic membership in the PRNigeria Young Communication Fellowship Alumni Network, which offers continued mentorship and professional development.

The fellowship is open to Nigerian citizens aged 20 to 30 from any discipline. Prior media experience is not required.

Applications close on July 6, 2026, with shortlisted candidates to be notified by mid‑July.

Established by IMPR, the PRNigeria Young Communication Fellowship forms part of broader efforts to promote media literacy, ethical communication, fact‑checking, strategic public relations and youth leadership development in Nigeria’s evolving information landscape.

For details and application form Visit: fellowship.prnigeria.com