Honestly, I struggled to share this because you will assume that it is a paid review. And, I know how folks typically avoid promotional content (yours sincerely included).

First, it is voluntary. And, I feel compelled to share because it will certainly help someone, somewhere, someday to make a better choice.

In May, I was privileged to be one of 20 professionals selected to participate in the Media Innovation Programme (MIP-4), proudly sponsored by MTN Nigeria. As you know, it offers an impressive module. Yet, I am not here to review the lessons (you can catch them in my daily recaps).

This is about the host institution, the School of Media and Communication (SMC) of the Pan-Atlantic University (PAU). I will share 5 reasons why I love the learning experience and why I think that you will love it too.

The Ambience:

The PAU environment is a beautiful blend of lush greenery, solid concrete and thoughtful interior design.

The last time I saw such thoughtfully designed structures was when I was a student in Ife. The lawns are neatly paved and carefully connected. You can walk from one end of the school to another without having to walk on the grass. The fountain brings a sense of daily renewal.

And, the attentive daily cleaning will suggest to you that this isn’t an environment where you can afford to be careless.

The classroom crowns the thoughtful interior design process. (I will leave you to experience the restrooms, lobbies and the library yourself).

The first thing that stands out is the rotunda design. It makes the speakers more audible by giving a resounding voice effect. It also makes moving around easier. Then, the designers thoughtfully placed walls at the rear to soundproof the room.

I am particularly impressed by the fact that the rooms are equipped to support e-learning with the latest computer, visual and sound effects.

Imagine a room where the lighting and cooling are adjusted to aid your learning mood. Imagine a room designed to help you seamlessly connect to the internet and charge your devices. That is taking care of the little things that can distract.

But it is the little things that matter. Isn’t it?

Experienced Faculty:

This is easily the best-selling point for the SMC.

Honestly, my biggest worry on the eve of starting the MIP is surviving the boredom of lectures. You know it works in Nigerian universities, right? The note recitations, the frantic writing, the offhanded examples, and the fear of asking questions make one-hour sessions look like eternity.

At the end, you copy textbook volumes with little understanding that your best bet is to cram them and give them back like the servant with just one talent in Jesus’ parable.

But the line-up of teachers is in 3 main categories:

• Well-grounded researchers who have interacted with replete industry case studies and players to share thoughtful and trendy ideas. You need to meet Dr. Chike Mgbeadichie, Dr. Ruth Karachi Benson Oji, Barrister Tomi Vincent, Dr. Olusegun Vincent, and Dr. Silk Ugwu Ogbu to understand this effect.
• Industry players who have seen it, done it or are still doing it. For instance, we interacted with Azu Ishiekwene, Editor-in-Chief of the Leadership Newspaper, Mike Okwoche, formerly of TVC and Tobechukwu Okigbo, MTN’s Chief Services and Sustainability Officer.
• Sector-experts who have demonstrated capacity in niche areas and can tell you all you need to know. For example, MTN’s Mrs Odunayo Sanya (CSR), Google’s Oyinyechi Eze (Optimisation and ad revenue), MTN’s Lakinbofa Goodluck (PR and Comms), MTN’s Ikenna Ikeme (regulatory affairs), and Yahaya Ibrahim (for all matters related to telecoms networks).

Honestly, you can’t have a better combination to help you understand the Nigerian complexity.

Curriculum:

The MIP isn’t my first executive programme. Yet, it has been the most immersive.

It is a healthy mix of classroom sessions on theories, best practices, technology and trends, experience sharing, and industry visits to meet practitioners and understand the implications of classroom learnings.

I can only imagine the thoughtfulness and effort it requires to put them all together.

Staff demeanour:

The Yoruba language has a term “A kini ku”. It is an effusive term used to describe effortlessly courteous people. People like this are the reason the Yoruba language has a greeting term for every activity, time and season, e.g “E ku oge” is used to greet people when they are making their hair.

If you attended a Nigerian university, you will attest that “A kini ku”s are a rare commodity. Most non-academic staff are lords of their small manors, and you must pay homage just to be heard. In fact, interrupting a gossip session could attract consequences.

PAU has reversed this social engineering. The men at the gates, the tech support, the caterers and other admin staff greet, respond to greetings and speak to you like you matter.

This was surprising at first. Yet, my surprise only revealed how much trauma I have survived.

Food:

One of the most compelling attractions of PAU is the food service. I know most people will not admit it, but I will tell you the truth.

Trust me!

For an executive programme like the one I did, you will have a light breakfast around 10:30 and a sumptuous lunch by 2:00 PM. The meals are tasty and rich. Indeed, if you are not careful, you will gain a lot of weight in one week.

Sometimes, I decided to avoid the meals or take just a light bite. But there is a charm in the soft but caring voice of the coordinator, Cecilia Esere, that weakens the resolve. Indeed, the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak!

“Enjoy it” is a term you will only be familiar with when you experience the PAU cafeteria.

Putting it all together

As the demand for self-improvement increases, so do the options for convenient and cost-effective learning (online, travel, etc). But, there is a third factor to consider: relevance to local /precision.

That is the sweet spot that the SMC offers.

The learning experience is convenient. It is right here in Lagos. It is cost-effective because it is way cheaper when you consider the price of the foreign alternatives for the kind of quality that the SMC offers.

However, no other institution will offer the industry access and stakeholders’ reflection like I have experienced in this programme.

And that really matters.