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.
By Chioma Amajor
The landscape of Nigerian journalism is undergoing a high-tech revolution, and at the forefront of this shift is Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG). On Wednesday, a strategic three-day capacity-building workshop reached its climax in the nation’s capital, leaving 32 selected journalists from various media organizations better equipped to handle the complexities of the digital age.
The workshop, held under the flagship #NLNGChangeYourStory initiative, wasn’t just another talk shop. It served as a tactical laboratory where journalists explored the rapidly evolving roles of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital communication in the modern newsroom.
Bridging the Skills Gap
In a statement released on Wednesday, Anne-Marie Palmer-Ikuku, NLNG’s Manager for Corporate Communication and Public Affairs, noted that the training is a deliberate move to reinforce NLNG’s commitment to strengthening stakeholder capability.
“Our support for these competencies is aimed at strengthening a resilient media ecosystem that produces accurate, impactful journalism capable of shaping public understanding,” Palmer-Ikuku stated.
The sessions moved beyond mere theory. Participants engaged in hands-on training to:
• Deploy new media tools for real-time reporting.
• Utilize AI and data visualization to tell deeper stories.
• Master online fact-checking to combat the era of fake news.
• Expand audience reach far beyond Nigerian borders.
Journalism as a Higher Calling
Speaking at the event, Sophia Horsfall, NLNG’s General Manager for External Relations and Sustainable Development, reminded the cohort that journalism remains a vital pillar of society.
Reaffirming capacity development as a core pillar of NLNG’s CSR program, she described the profession as a “calling that informs, educates, and influences.
“The #NLNGChangeYourStory initiative continues to equip journalists with the skills and confidence needed to produce professional media content in an increasingly technology-driven environment,” Horsfall said. She further pointed to NLNG’s long-standing support for the sector, including the NLNG Prize for Energy Reporting at the Diamond Awards for Media Excellence (DAME).
A Masterclass in Digital Storytelling
The workshop was anchored by two heavyweights in the field: digital communication specialist Dan Mason and the Journalism Clinic, led by the respected media veteran Taiwo Obe.
Their combined expertise provided participants with a roadmap for managing a professional digital presence while maintaining audience trust and relevance.
The Impact in Numbers
Metric Achievement
Current Cohort 32 Journalists
Duration 3 Days of Intensive Training
Total Empowered Over 180 Journalists to date.
Key Focus AI, Digital Storytelling, & Fact-checking
With this latest edition, NLNG continues to bridge the gap between traditional reporting and the future of global media, ensuring that the Nigerian story is not just told, but told with the precision and tech-savvy it deserves.