Priscilla Christopher-Akpanettot
Journalists are a different breed of professionals. Tough, rugged, dogged and seemingly hard-skinned. They are trained to question everything, interrogate every claim and look beyond the eloquence of words to uncover the emotions, intentions and realities behind them.
They are hardly swayed by fine speeches or impressive grammar. Their instinct is to probe, analyse and move on to the next story.
But on Monday and Tuesday, 2-3 November 2026, something unusual happened. The usually composed, critical and ever-questioning journalists found themselves at the receiving end of conversations that went beyond the newsroom, headlines, breaking news and professional ethics.
Their minds were challenged, their emotions stirred and, perhaps, their long-held assumptions about life and career confronted.
Through the instrumentality of the Seplat Media Partners Programme, Nnamdi Uwaemelulam, Kelechi Asuquo, Abiola Adedeji and Prof. Pat Utomi took participants on an intellectual journey that was as enlightening as it was thought-provoking. It was a training that did not merely seek to sharpen professional skills; it compelled journalists to look inward and ask some uncomfortable but necessary questions about their personal lives, financial realities and future.
For many participants, the expectation was a familiar one: another opportunity to refresh their knowledge of journalism, revisit professional ethics and understand the evolving demands of the media industry. But the conversation took a different and more profound turn when the focus shifted to personal effectiveness, self-awareness, self-mastery, skill monetisation and financial emancipation. Suddenly, the atmosphere changed.
The discussions became more personal. The smiles gave way to deep reflection, and the room assumed a somewhat sober mood as participants began to confront the realities of life beyond their professional identities. It was a moment of collective introspection, perhaps because the conversations touched on issues many journalists rarely have the luxury of discussing amid the daily pressure of chasing stories, meeting deadlines and keeping society informed.
The message from the resource persons was unmistakable: being a good journalist is not enough; one must also be intentional about building a good life. Professional relevance should go hand in hand with personal growth, financial intelligence and the ability to create sustainable sources of income.
They emphasised the need for journalists to diversify their skills, embrace digital innovation, identify opportunities to monetise their expertise and cultivate a culture of long-term financial planning.
Beyond earning a monthly salary, participants were encouraged to think about investments, wealth creation and securing a financially stable future for themselves and their families.
The General Manager, Public and Government Affairs, Seplat Energy Producing Nigeria Unlimited, Ogechukwu Udeagha, reinforced this message, stressing the importance of taking deliberate steps towards wealth creation rather than depending solely on salaries as the primary source of financial security.
Indeed, the training delivered a message that many in the profession may have needed to hear for a long time: the same journalists who spend their days reporting the struggles, successes and financial realities of others must also pay attention to their own welfare and future.
From the reactions, questions and expressions of participants, it was evident that the lessons had struck a chord. Beyond the certificates, photographs and formalities that often accompany such programmes, many were leaving with something more valuable: a fresh perspective on their careers, a renewed sense of personal responsibility and the realisation that their skills could be worth much more than their monthly pay cheques.
Journalists are human beings too. They have dreams, financial obligations, families to cater for and futures to secure. Their commitment to informing society should not come at the expense of their personal well-being. They deserve not only professional recognition but also the knowledge, opportunities and financial capacity to live decent and fulfilling lives.
This is why the Seplat Media Partners Programme: Career and Capacity Development initiative deserves special commendation. It was not just another professional training; it was a timely intervention that challenged journalists to look beyond the next headline and begin thinking about the next chapter of their lives.
Sometimes, the most important story a journalist needs to investigate is not happening outside. It is the story of their own life, their untapped potential and the future they are capable of creating.
And that for me was the biggest lesson of the training: journalists must learn to build the lives they spend their careers reporting about.
