The Alternative Bank Empowers Media Leaders, Reshapes Nigeria’s Sustainability Narrative

In a strategic move to redefine Nigeria’s national discourse, The Alternative Bank has successfully concluded a landmark capacity-building program for 60 of the nation’s most influential senior editors and media executives. Held in Abuja as a cornerstone of the 2025 National Sustainability Week, the initiative, themed “Storytelling for Good: Reporting Sustainability, Innovation & Nigeria’s Future”, was designed to transform the media from observers into active catalysts for national growth.

This initiative comes at a critical juncture for a nation grappling with the dual pressures of economic volatility and environmental vulnerability. Despite being Africa’s largest economy, Nigeria remains ranked 160th out of 181 countries on the Global Climate Risk Index, with climate-induced losses in the last few years costing the economy an estimated $6.7 billion. Globally, the narrative surrounding Nigeria remains disproportionately skewed; studies indicate that less than 1% of international news coverage on the country is positive, often focusing on episodic crises like insecurity or corruption while ignoring the burgeoning $3 trillion infrastructure potential and local innovations in green energy. By training senior editors to bridge this narrative gap, The Alternative Bank is addressing a systemic risk: the ‘developmental silence’ that deters foreign investment and obscures Nigeria’s progress. In an era where 2025 climate projections warn of a 17% drop in crop nutrients and rising sea levels threatening coastal hubs like Lagos, the need for a media that can articulate complex sustainability data with precision has never been more urgent for national survival and global competitiveness.

Throughout the two-day engagement, The Alternative Bank facilitated qualitative and practical deliberations on how the media can serve as a catalyst for national transformation. Bunmi Ajiboye, Chairperson of the Sterling Sustainability Working Group, presented the Group’s sustainability priorities, outlining how the organisation is embedding responsible finance, environmental stewardship, and social impact into its core business strategy. She challenged attendees to take ownership of this mandate and shift the developmental commentary that has historically surrounded Nigeria.

“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,” Ajiboye noted. “By sharing the inner workings of our Corporate Social Investments (CSIs), we are providing a blueprint for how corporate Nigeria can drive tangible change. We believe that when the media understands the ‘why’ behind these efforts, they are better equipped to advocate for the systemic shifts our country needs.”

The training formed part of a series of impactful activities executed to commemorate the 2025 National Sustainability Week including a week-long Sustainability Series Campaign, a National Secondary School Essay Competition, and a nationwide Beach and National Clean-up exercise. Delivered in partnership with NatureNews and the Climate Africa Media Initiative & Centre (CAMIC), the curriculum integrated global best practices with practical tools focusing on Communicating Climate Change & Sustainability Narratives, Storytelling Techniques for Impact, and Financial Sustainability in Media Management.

The sessions were facilitated by a distinguished assembly of experts from across the Nigerian media and policy landscape, ensuring the program was grounded in high-level industry expertise. The faculty included Pius Alabi, Chief Operating Officer of NatureNews Africa and Chief Growth Director for CAMIC; Dr. Jamila Dahiru, former Commissioner of Education for Bauchi State; and veteran media executive Akogun Isiaq Ajibola. Joining them were Victoria Bamas, Editor at the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) and a key figure in Nigeria’s fact-checking community as the co-founder of FactCheckHub, alongside Aliu Akoshile, CEO of Almak Media Limited.

Reflecting on the Bank’s commitment to the media’s evolution, Solomon Okonkwo, Head of Corporate Social Investment at The Alternative Bank, emphasised the importance of future-proofing the industry.

“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 stated. “Supporting this capacity-building program is about promoting an ecosystem where truth and science work together to highlight the sustainable development opportunities across our nation. We are proud to see these editors commit to a community that will keep sustainability at the forefront of the media agenda.”

The impact of the training extends immediately into the field as participants have committed to active participation in national sustainability reporting and membership in a closed sustainability media community. This network is designed to foster sustained collaboration and ensure that the reporting of innovation remains a consistent priority in the Nigerian media space.