The Managing Director of Nigerian Communications Satellite, NIGCOMSAT, Ltd, Mrs. Jane Egerton-Idehen has urged media professionals to unlock the potential of shaping Nigeria’s digital future.
Egerton-Idehen, represented by Mr. Abiodun Attah, Executive Director of Technical Services at NIGCOMSAT, made the call on Monday at a one-day media training for ICT reporters and editors in Abuja.
The training, with the theme “Equipping the Media: Reporting Information Technology, IT, right”, focused on strengthening knowledge and capacity for accurate ICT reporting.
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Egerton-Idehen said the media had the power to influence public perception and policy decisions on technology.
“We live in a digital age where satellites and ICT are no longer abstract or futuristic; they are part of our daily lives.
“Satellites power internet in rural villages, help us predict the weather, support disaster response, and strengthen national security,” she said.
She added that ICT drives communication, education, healthcare, commerce, and governance, stressing that under-reporting and misunderstanding of technology stories often resulted from lack of foundational knowledge.
“This session is about equipping storytellers with the right context and tools to simplify, demystify, and humanize satellite and ICT stories for the Nigerian public,” Egerton-Idehen said.
She urged the media not to focus only on technical jargon but also to shape narratives around opportunities in technology, inspiring young Nigerians to pursue careers in ICT and space.
Egerton-Idehen noted that Nigeria was not merely a consumer of technology but also a contributor through its satellites, ICT infrastructure, and startup ecosystem.
“The ICT sector is one of the fastest growing in Africa. To unlock its potential responsibly, we need strong, informed media voices,” she said.
She encouraged reporters to highlight stories that show how technology impacts lives, such as rural internet access and local entrepreneurs leveraging ICT to innovate and create jobs.
Earlier, Mr. Samuel Ajakaiye, Assistant General Manager, Broadband, NIGCOMSAT, advised the media to ensure accuracy in IT reporting by verifying technical terms, dates, and facts with relevant sources.
He stressed the need to show human angles linking technology to education, healthcare, security, and connectivity.
Similarly, Mrs. Aisha Bantam, Head of Corporate Affairs, NIGCOMSAT, said the media remained a strategic partner in efforts to connect Nigeria and Africa through satellite technology.
According to her, the training reflected the company’s commitment to building stronger synergy with the media community.
“It is our hope that the knowledge exchanged today will empower you to report with greater clarity and precision while deepening public understanding of ICTs, space technology, and their transformative role in society,” she said.
NAN
