Media leaders across Nigeria are converging in Abeokuta, Ogun State, for an event poised to redefine the relationship between the press and its audience in the digital age. The 3rd Nigerian Media Leaders’ Summit, organised by The Journalism Clinic, brings together some of the nation’s most influential media executives to explore how they can turn their connections with communities and readers into sustainable value—especially in a landscape increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence.
Taking place at Academy Suites from May 5-6, 2025, the summit will host at least 50 top media professionals, ranging from newspaper publishers and editors-in-chief to TV and radio executives, general managers, and directors of programmes. These leaders will engage in crucial discussions aimed at securing the future of Nigerian journalism, ensuring it remains adaptive and innovative.
Backed by both public and private sector giants, the summit enjoys sponsorship and partnership from organisations such as NLNG, Lagos and Ogun State Governments, Central Bank of Nigeria, Nigerian Railway Corporation, Fidelity Bank, and Polaris Bank. Several leading media platforms, including The Punch, The Nation, The Cable, and Business Day newspapers, have also thrown their weight behind the event, alongside the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria, Innovation Media Consulting Group, Real Pharmaceuticals, Academy Suites, and Penpushing Media.
One of the summit’s defining moments will be the OWNERS’ FORUM, where five renowned media leaders will take the stage to share insights on audience engagement, the evolving media economy, and the challenges of maintaining relevance in a digital-first world. Among them are:
- Frank Aigbogun, Publisher, Business Day
- Joseph Adeyeye, CEO/Editor-in-Chief, Punch Newspapers
- Toun Okewale Sonaiya, CEO, WFM 91.7FM, Nigeria’s only women-focused radio station
- Betty Dibiah Akeredolu-Ale, CEO, Branama TV, Nigeria’s first children-focused television station
- Musikilu Mojeed, COO/Editor-in-Chief, Premium Times
The conversations at this year’s summit build on the success of previous editions. Last year’s gathering, for instance, inspired the creation of the Innovative Media Partners Cooperative Multi-purpose Society (IMPCMS), following a thought-provoking session titled “WHERE’S THE MONEY”.
For Taiwo Obe, Founder and Director of The Journalism Clinic, this summit is more than an intellectual gathering—it is an urgent call for media leaders to assess their markets and secure lasting prosperity. As artificial intelligence continues to reshape the industry, media professionals must evolve, harnessing new technologies to deepen audience engagement while remaining true to the ethical foundations of journalism.
At a time when digital transformation and AI-driven journalism are rewriting the rules of news production and consumption, this summit serves as a vital opportunity for Nigerian media leaders to fortify their strategies and ensure that their audience connections translate into gold.
