SKOT impact academy launches 3rd cohort, deepening investment in Africa’s communications talent
SKOT Impact Academy, SKOT Communications’ social impact learning programme for early-career public relations and communications professionals, is set to commence the third cohort of its six-week, intensive, tuition-free training programme on October 10, 2026.
Since its launch, the Academy has continued to grow from its first cohort of 40 participants to a broader learning community. Cohort 2 expanded the programme to 60 participants through a hybrid model, comprising physical participants and virtual participants joining from Nigeria, Kenya, and the United Kingdom. More than 1,300 applications have now been received across the Academy’s three cohorts, reflecting sustained interest in the programme.
The latest cycle further demonstrates this growing demand, with 450+ applications received for Cohort 3 from across Nigeria and beyond. This included representation of 14 countries including Kenya, South Africa, Ghana, Uganda, Pakistan, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Malawi, Bangladesh, Nepal, Tanzania and The Gambia.
Speaking on the commencement of the third cohort, Tokunboh George Taylor, Founder/CEO, SKOT Communications, said the Academy’s growth reflects both the depth of talent within the communications ecosystem and the need for greater investment in developing that talent.
“When we launched SKOT Impact Academy, we knew there was a need for more accessible and practical pathways into the communications profession. As we begin our third cohort, we see clear evidence of both the demand for this kind of opportunity and the depth of talent that exists within our industry.
But to us at SKOT, the impact and growth of the Academy is not simply about numbers. It is about the people and careers we are able to influence and the contribution they will go on to make to our industry. As the Academy grows, our ambition is to reach more people, deepen the quality and relevance of the programme, and extend its impact across Africa and beyond. We believe this is only the beginning of what SKOT Impact Academy can become.”
This growing reach of the Academy comes as the communications profession continues to evolve alongside a rapidly changing business, media, and digital landscape. Today’s communications professionals are expected to do more than understand media relations or produce compelling stories. They must navigate reputation, crisis, digital platforms, technology, emerging trends, and increasingly complex stakeholder expectations, while understanding how communication connects to broader organisational objectives.
The Academy’s tuition-free model removes the cost of professional training as a barrier, while its intensive curriculum exposes participants to the practical realities of public relations and strategic communications. The programme is designed to complement formal education with practical knowledge, industry exposure, and the opportunity to learn from experienced communications professionals.
For SKOT Academy, developing the next generation of communications talent requires more than transferring knowledge. It requires creating an environment where early-career professionals can build practical skills, judgement, and confidence alongside foundational communications knowledge.
As the Academy enters its third cohort, its growing community of participants and alumni represents an emerging talent pipeline with the potential to contribute meaningfully to the communications industry across Africa and beyond.
With each cohort, SKOT Impact Academy continues to build on its ambition to make quality professional development more accessible, while contributing to a stronger, more practical, and better-equipped generation of communications professionals.
