Sterling Financial Holdings, through its Sustainability Working Group, in partnership with The Alternative Bank, NatureNews Africa and the Climate Africa Media Initiative and Centre (CAMIC), has concluded a two-day capacity-building programme for 60 senior editors and media executives to strengthen sustainability, innovation and climate reporting in Nigeria.
The training, held in Abuja as part of the 2025 National Sustainability Week, was themed “Storytelling for Good: Reporting Sustainability, Innovation and Nigeria’s Future.” It equipped senior media professionals with practical tools to improve reporting on climate change, sustainable development, innovation and the green economy while positioning the media as a catalyst for national development.
Organisers said the initiative was convened at a time when Nigeria faces mounting economic and environmental pressures, including climate-related losses estimated at about $6.7 billion in recent years, alongside growing vulnerability to climate change. They stressed the need for more balanced reporting that highlights not only the country’s challenges but also emerging solutions, innovations and sustainability efforts.
The programme featured sessions on climate change communication, sustainability storytelling, artificial intelligence in journalism, newsroom innovation and financial sustainability in media management.
One of the major sessions, “Future-Forward Financing: Leveraging Sustainability Solutions,” examined how innovative financing can accelerate climate action, strengthen businesses and support inclusive economic growth.
Chairperson of the Sterling Sustainability Working Group, Bunmi Ajiboye, said sustainability must move beyond corporate messaging to measurable action driven by transparency and accountability.
“The real power of sustainability lies in accountability. When the media understands the substance behind the buzzwords, sustainability stops being marketing and starts becoming a measurable commitment,” she said.
Ajiboye added that opening up corporate sustainability initiatives to public scrutiny enables journalists to tell more impactful stories and encourages organisations to embrace responsible business practices.
Co-Director of the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), Professor (Mrs.) N. I. Odiaka, highlighted the importance of knowledge, policy and partnerships in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, while Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre, Bankole Oloruntoba, emphasised the need to mobilise investments that support climate innovation, entrepreneurship and green enterprises.
Managing Partner of DevX Strategy, Enoch Haruna, called for stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors to unlock sustainable financing opportunities, while Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of NatureNews Africa, Aliu Akoshile, underscored the critical role of the media in driving public awareness, accountability and informed decision-making on sustainability issues.
Head of Corporate Social Investment at The Alternative Bank, Solomon Okonkwo, said the programme was designed to prepare media organisations for the rapidly changing information landscape shaped by climate change and technological advancement.
“We are at a crossroads where innovation and climate urgency meet. By integrating modules on AI and financial sustainability into this curriculum, we are helping the Nigerian media future-proof its operations,” Okonkwo said.
He added that strengthening journalists’ capacity would promote science-based reporting and create greater visibility for sustainable development opportunities across Nigeria.
Other facilitators included Pius Alabi of NatureNews Africa and CAMIC, former Bauchi State Commissioner for Education, Dr Jamila Dahiru, veteran media executive Akogun Isiaq Ajibola, ICIR editor and FactCheckHub co-founder Victoria Bamas, and Chief Executive Officer of Almak Media Limited, Aliu Akoshile.
The training also showcased practical sustainability initiatives implemented by Sterling Group to demonstrate how partnerships can deliver measurable environmental and social impact.
Participants were introduced to the Sterling Environmental Makeover (STEM), a nationwide environmental clean-up initiative that mobilises volunteers for coordinated beach and street clean-up exercises, promotes responsible waste management and raises public awareness on environmental stewardship.
The programme highlighted the Beach Adoption Programme, through which coastal communities are engaged in plastic waste collection and recycling to support the circular economy while reducing marine pollution and creating livelihood opportunities for women and young people.
Participants also learned about the Nigerian Secondary School Essay Competition, an initiative that encourages students in government-owned secondary schools to develop practical solutions for balancing economic growth with environmental conservation, thereby promoting environmental consciousness among young Nigerians.
At the end of the training, participants committed to strengthening collaboration on sustainability, innovation and climate reporting through a dedicated media network that will promote continuous knowledge sharing, encourage solution-focused journalism and keep sustainability issues high on Nigeria’s media agenda.