The Alternative Bank has concluded a capacity-building programme for 60 senior editors and media executives aimed at strengthening sustainability, innovation and climate reporting in Nigeria.
The two-day training, held in Abuja as part of the 2025 National Sustainability Week, was themed “Storytelling for Good: Reporting Sustainability, Innovation & Nigeria’s Future.” It focused on equipping senior media professionals with tools to improve national discourse and position the media as a driver of development.
Organisers said the initiative comes at a time when Nigeria is facing economic and environmental pressures, including climate-related losses estimated at about $6.7 billion in recent years and rising vulnerability to climate change. They noted that international media coverage of Nigeria remains largely negative, often overlooking progress in infrastructure, innovation and green energy.
The programme featured practical sessions on climate change communication, sustainability storytelling, and financial sustainability in media management. It was delivered in partnership with NatureNews and the Climate Africa Media Initiative & Centre (CAMIC).
Chairperson of the Sterling Sustainability Working Group, Bunmi Ajiboye, outlined the organisation’s sustainability priorities, including responsible finance, environmental stewardship and social impact. She urged media leaders to play a stronger role in shaping development-focused narratives.
“The real power of sustainability lies in accountability. When the media understands the substance behind the buzzwords, sustainability stops being marketing and starts becoming a measurable commitment,” Ajiboye said.
“By sharing the inner workings of our Corporate Social Investments, we are providing a blueprint for how corporate Nigeria can drive tangible change. When the media understands the ‘why’ behind these efforts, they are better equipped to advocate for the systemic shifts our country needs.”
The training formed part of broader activities marking the 2025 National Sustainability Week, including a sustainability series campaign, a national secondary school essay competition and a nationwide beach and environmental clean-up exercise.
Sessions were facilitated by experts from the media and policy sectors, including Pius Alabi of NatureNews Africa and CAMIC, former Bauchi State Commissioner for Education Dr Jamila Dahiru, veteran media executive Akogun Isiaq Ajibola, ICIR editor and FactCheckHub co-founder Victoria Bamas, and Aliu Akoshile, Chief Executive Officer of Almak Media Limited.
Head of Corporate Social Investment at The Alternative Bank, Solomon Okonkwo, said the initiative was designed to help the media adapt to emerging challenges, including climate urgency and technological change.
“We are at a crossroads where innovation and climate urgency meet. By integrating modules on AI and financial sustainability into this curriculum, we are helping the Nigerian media future-proof its operations,” Okonkwo said.
“Supporting this programme is about promoting an ecosystem where truth and science work together to highlight sustainable development opportunities across our nation.”
Participants at the programme committed to sustained collaboration on sustainability reporting and to joining a closed media network focused on innovation and climate issues, aimed at keeping sustainability on the national media agenda.
