Keeping Relevant With Global Audiences

For a week from 28 April to 2 May 2014, international radio broadcaster Voice of Nigeria (VON) gathered in Lagos to prepare for a new Strategic Plan. In a workshop facilitated by AIBD, some 30 participants looked at the international media environment and the ways in which a Strategic Plan is crafted, monitored and published as a promise to audiences and parliamentary funders.

For a week from 28 April to 2 May 2014, international radio broadcaster Voice of Nigeria (VON) gathered in Lagos to prepare for a new Strategic Plan. In a workshop facilitated by AIBD, some 30 participants looked at the international media environment and the ways in which a Strategic Plan is crafted, monitored and published as a promise to audiences and parliamentary funders.

Understanding audiences and the changing converged media environment was a major area of attention. The importance of increasing relevance by communicating not only on short wave but also streaming online and through mobile phones and tablets was identified as major priorities.

Developing a Strategic Plan is the responsibility of VON’s newly formed Strategic Planning and Corporate Development Department, led by Mr. Ezekiel Ndukwe. The Department’s team is located in Nigeria’s capital Abuja as well as in Lagos and includes experienced content leaders.

VON is chartered to bring African and Nigerian perspectives to a global audience. The Nigerian diaspora is an important part of implementing this responsibility. For example, there are several million Nigerians living in London. As Africa’s largest economy, Nigeria has a responsibility to reflect wider African perspectives to an international audience.

There was enthusiastic engagement from workshop participants who not only came from Voice of Nigeria but also from the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, the Nigeria Television Authority and commercial broadcaster, DAAR Communications.