The founder of MAAUN has donated a purpose-ready facility in Abuja to host the PRNigeria Academy, NEWS EXPRESS reports, offering what organisers are calling a New Year gift for media and communications professionals across Nigeria.
The donation, announced by NEWS EXPRESS — published by award-winning journalist Isaac Umunna — provides a permanent base for the PRNigeria Academy’s training programmes, workshops and community outreach. The facility, located in Abuja, will become the main hub for short courses in public relations, media ethics, digital communications and practical journalism skills.
PRNigeria Academy Nigeria set to use donated Abuja facility
PRNigeria Academy Nigeria plans to roll out an initial programme of modular courses aimed at mid-career practitioners and early-career entrants into the communications sector. Course offerings will include media relations, crisis communications, digital storytelling and basic investigative reporting. The organisers say they will prioritise hands-on training, mentorship and certification that meet contemporary industry needs.
According to NEWS EXPRESS, the donation is intended to create an accessible training centre for professionals from the public and private sectors, non-governmental organisations and community groups. The facility will also host public seminars and networking events designed to improve professionalism in the media and PR industries.
Industry observers welcomed the development, noting that dedicated training infrastructure can strengthen standards and contribute to a more resilient information environment. By focusing on practical skills and ethical practice, the PRNigeria Academy Nigeria aims to equip practitioners to engage effectively with stakeholders, manage public issues and support transparent communication.
Isaac Umunna, the publisher of NEWS EXPRESS, described the donation as timely. He said the facility would enhance the academy’s ability to reach a wider cohort of trainees and serve as a focal point for collaborations with professional bodies and civil society. Details of an official opening and an inaugural class are expected to be released in the coming weeks.
Organisers emphasised that the centre would not only run formal courses but also provide short workshops tailored to community communicators and youth groups. Such outreach, they argue, can help build capacity at subnational levels and create pathways into professional practice for talented young people across the country.
Beyond skills development, the initiative may carry wider benefits for the communications ecosystem. A better-trained corps of communicators can improve public information campaigns, support corporate transparency and strengthen the role of independent media in promoting accountability.
Stakeholders have indicated openness to partnerships. The PRNigeria Academy Nigeria is exploring collaborations with educational institutions, industry associations and international donors to expand scholarship opportunities and ensure curriculum relevance. The donated facility will serve as a central coordination point for these efforts.
For now, organisers are finalising logistics and course schedules ahead of the first intake. Interested applicants and partner organisations have been invited to monitor announcements through NEWS EXPRESS and PRNigeria channels for registration details and programme outlines.
As Nigeria seeks to deepen professional standards in media and communications, the donation by the MAAUN founder provides a tangible resource that organisers hope will sustain training efforts and broaden access to professional development across the country.
Key Takeaways:
- MAAUN founder has donated an Abuja facility to host the PRNigeria Academy, providing a New Year boost to media training.
- PRNigeria Academy Nigeria will offer practical training and certification for public relations and journalism practitioners.
- The move aims to strengthen professional standards, support young communicators and expand capacity across Nigeria.
