SKOT Communications has rolled out the SKOT Impact Academy, a tuition-free, six-week training programme equipping early-career professionals in public relations and communications with practical tools, confidence, and a growth mindset for a fast-moving industry.
Conceived as a social impact initiative, the Academy drew close to 400 applications during its inaugural call in August, underscoring the industry’s appetite for structured and accessible upskilling. The pioneer cohort begins on Saturday, September 13, with in-person classes in Lagos held every weekend through October 25.
At the launch, SKOT Communications CEO Tokunboh George-Taylor reflected on why she created the programme. With over three decades in communications, she said it felt essential to give back to the field that shaped her. Having entered PR after studying economics, she understands the early-career scramble to find footing, and designed the Academy as a foundational six-week course for professionals with one to two years’ experience. Her broader ambition is for the Academy to become a pan-African hub that blends local realities with global standards, producing “global storytellers” capable of shaping narratives for government, corporate, and individual clients.
The Academy will operate in three cohorts annually: a Lagos-based physical cohort, a virtual edition in Q1 2026 to serve participants beyond Nigeria, and a hybrid programme mid-year. Between cohorts, SKOT Communications will also run targeted masterclasses via its Elevate platform for professionals with more than two years in the field.
International experts are lined up to contribute, covering crisis communications, narrative development, and emerging technologies reshaping the practice of PR.
Delivering the keynote, Dr. Nkechi Ali-Balogun, chair of the Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria (PRCAN), hailed the initiative as a timely boost for the profession. She noted that in a landscape where quality learning often comes at a steep cost, a six-week, no-fee programme with global facilitators is both a symbol of hope and a practical pathway to excellence. Beyond skills, she added, the Academy can help restore core professional values — truth, responsibility, service, dignity of labour, and strong ethical standards.
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