TVC News journalist Zainab Akande has been selected for the UK Media Excellence for Emerging Technology (UK MEET) Fellowship after emerging among successful applicants from more than 500 submissions received from Nigeria and Ghana.
The fellowship, organised by Imperial College London through Imperial Global Ghana, with support from the British High Commission, aims to strengthen science journalism and improve public understanding of emerging technologies.
Akande’s selection followed a competitive application process in which organisers said her reporting experience, clear editorial perspective and proposed story idea stood out among the submissions.
According to the organisers, every eligible application was independently assessed by two reviewers, with only 13 per cent of applicants selected for the programme.
The fellowship is designed to equip journalists with the skills to investigate developments in science and technology and report their implications for society. Its focus areas include artificial intelligence (AI), climate technology, biomedical innovation and health technology.
The programme began with virtual sessions on October 6 and 8, ahead of a residential training scheduled to take place in Abuja from October 18 to 24.
During the residential programme, Akande and other selected fellows will engage with researchers working on emerging technologies and learn how to investigate scientific claims beyond information contained in press releases.
Participants will also receive practical training in developing and refining story pitches, including identifying compelling angles, sourcing credible information and preparing publication plans.
The President of Imperial College London, Prof. Hugh Brady, announced the 2026 cohort of Nigerian and Ghanaian participants in a LinkedIn post, highlighting the importance of equipping journalists and content creators to report effectively on science, innovation and emerging technologies.
Brady said the programme would cover a broad range of issues, including artificial intelligence, climate risk, biomedical innovation, the circular economy and electronic waste.
He noted that evidence-based science journalism had become increasingly important amid the spread of misinformation, rapid technological changes and complex global challenges.
“Evidence-based, trusted science journalism has never been more essential. In a world of rapid technological change, misinformation and increasingly complex global challenges, our policymakers, leaders, and educators need accurate, accessible reporting that helps them understand what’s at stake, ask informed questions and make sound decisions,” he said.
For Akande, the fellowship offers an opportunity to strengthen her reporting skills and deepen her understanding of emerging technologies, while developing stories that explain complex scientific developments and their impact on everyday life.
The programme is also expected to provide opportunities for participants to build professional relationships with science and technology journalists across Nigeria and Ghana.
Following the Abuja training, selected fellows may be considered for a UK Knowledge Exchange at Imperial College London in late November 2026.
According to the organisers, consideration will depend on participants’ ability to apply the skills acquired during the residential programme and develop rigorous, evidence-based story pitches.
Those selected for the exchange will have the opportunity to engage directly with researchers at Imperial College London and gain first-hand insight into the science underpinning their proposed stories.
