Seplat Energy recently organised a two-day training session for 50 journalists on media entrepreneurship in Lagos, in partnership with ELOH Consulting Limited.
The training, held on June 25-26, 2025, aimed to equip media professionals with essential business acumen and skills to thrive as entrepreneurs.
According to a statement on Monday, the training was designed to equip participants with essential business and leadership skills to thrive as entrepreneurs in a fast-evolving media and economic landscape.
It focused on developing strategic business thinking, management capabilities, and sustainable enterprise models tailored to the needs of media professionals.
Mr Stanley Opara, Manager, Corporate Communications, Seplat Energy Plc, who represented the Director of External Affairs and Social Performance, Mrs Chioma Afe, delivered the keynote address.
Afe noted that the initiative aimed to prepare journalists not just as media practitioners, but as business leaders capable of driving innovation and enterprise.
The training featured renowned facilitators and thought leaders, including Prof. Pat Utomi, who spoke on the theme, “Can Managers or Professionals (like Journalists) Make Good Entrepreneurs?”
Utomi examined the transition from professional roles to entrepreneurial success and inspired participants to explore broader career possibilities.
Other speakers included Dr Solomon Avbioroko, former Coca-Cola International executive and Lagos Business School faculty, who shared insights on entrepreneurship and strategic business management.
Also, Mr Olu Onakoya, former Managing Director of Mobil Nigeria, who addressed issues of corporate governance and leadership and Nnamdi Uwaemelulam, who discussed media technology.
Uloma Okoro facilitated a session on “Developing a Business Model and Writing Winning Business Plans”, offering practical guidance for media professionals interested in launching or scaling business ventures.
A special session was held with top officials from Nigeria’s key anti-corruption and security agencies.
This component aimed to foster dialogue on governance, accountability, and the legal environment affecting the media and broader business space.
Speakers included Mr Ola Olukoyede, Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC); Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu, Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC); and Mr Oluwatosin Ajayi, Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS).
The officials engaged participants on topics such as intelligence gathering, anti-corruption strategies, and security challenges, with a view to enhancing journalists’ understanding of institutional frameworks and national development efforts.
Participants lauded Seplat Energy for its investment in media empowerment and described the programme as timely, practical, and impactful.
Many highlighted how the training had broadened their entrepreneurial perspectives and provided tools for adapting to the shifting media and economic environment.
The initiative, according to Seplat Energy, is part of its broader Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) agenda to support capacity building and socio-economic development in Nigeria. .
