The SKOT Impact Academy, a social impact learning programme for early-career public relations and communications professionals, will commence the third cohort of its six-week intensive training programme on Saturday, October 10.

The programme, organised by SKOT Communications, is tuition-free.Since its launch, the academy has grown from 40 participants in its first cohort to 60 in the second cohort, which was delivered through a hybrid model comprising physical participants and virtual participants from Nigeria, Kenya and the United Kingdom.

More than 1,300 applications have been received across the three cohorts of the academy.

For the third cohort, over 450 applications were received from across Nigeria and 14 other countries, including Kenya, South Africa, Ghana, Uganda, Pakistan, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Malawi, Bangladesh, Nepal, Tanzania and The Gambia.

Speaking on the commencement of the third cohort, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of SKOT Communications, Tokunboh George Taylor, said the growth of the academy reflects both the depth of talent within the communications ecosystem and the need for greater investment in developing that talent.

“When we launched SKOT Impact Academy, we knew there was a need for more accessible and practical pathways into the communications profession. As we begin our third cohort, we see clear evidence of both the demand for this kind of opportunity and the depth of talent that exists within our industry.

“But to us at SKOT, the impact and growth of the academy is not simply about numbers, it is about the people, careers we are able to influence and the contribution they will go on to make to our industry.”

As the academy grows, George Taylor said the mission of the organisation is to reach more people, deepen the quality and relevance of the programme, and extend its impact across Africa and beyond.

We believe this is only the beginning of what the academy can become,” he said.

The organisers said the communication profession has continued to evolve alongside a rapidly changing business, media and digital landscape, with professionals now expected to navigate reputation management, crisis communication, digital platforms, technology, emerging trends and complex stakeholder expectations, while linking communication to broader organisational objectives.

According to the organisers, the academy’s tuition-free model removes the cost of professional training as a barrier, while its curriculum exposes participants to the practical realities of public relations and strategic communications.

The programme is designed to complement formal education with practical knowledge, industry exposure and engagement with experienced communications professionals.

The academy said developing the next generation of communications talent requires creating an environment where early-career professionals can build practical skills, judgement and confidence alongside foundational communications knowledge.

The academy’s community of participants and alumni is expected to contribute to the communications industry across Africa and beyond.