IAYI, MAAUN Move to Bridge Gap Between Classroom, Media Industry

The Inspire Arewa Youths Initiative (IAYI) and the Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria (MAAUN) are set to collaborate on a practical Media and Digital Storytelling Workshop aimed at bridging the gap between classroom learning and the media industry.

The proposed workshop was presented to the Acting President of MAAUN, Prof. Ibrahim Alhaji Lawal, during a visit by the Chair and Secretary of IAYI, Muhammad Sani and MS Zakariyya respectively.

The training is part of efforts to equip Mass Communication students of the university with hands-on training in digital storytelling, content creation, mobile journalism and audience engagement.

Unlike conventional classroom-based learning, the programme will give participants the opportunity to practise what they learn under the guidance of experienced media professionals and veterans from the industry.

The training will cover story development, storyboarding, smartphone photography and videography, short-form content production for TikTok, Instagram and YouTube, as well as writing effective hooks, headlines and captions.

Speaking on the initiative, the Acting President of MAAUN, Prof. Ibrahim Alhaji Lawal, welcomed the proposed collaboration, describing it as an important opportunity for students to gain practical exposure and understand the realities of professional media practice.

He said MAAUN remained committed to complementing classroom knowledge with practical experiences that prepare students for the demands of the media industry and the rapidly changing digital environment.

Also speaking, the Head of Department, Mass Communication, Mr Rabiu Yau Sulaiman, expressed support for the proposed workshop, stressing the importance of giving students opportunities to move beyond theoretical learning and acquire practical newsroom skills.

The collaboration is expected to strengthen the connection between MAAUN’s Mass Communication programme and the media industry, while empowering students to produce credible, engaging and impactful stories, particularly on issues affecting Northern Nigeria.