Founders
Circle.
A 2-day intensive masterclass for future communication strategists. Selective. Structured. Built for the next generation of Nigerian communication professionals.
Date
July 24 to 25, 2026
Venue
The Hive, 37 Rasak Balogun, Lagos
Cohort Size
30 participants only
Entry
Application-based selection
Not a workshop. Not a conference. Something more demanding.
Founders Circle is a high-touch, immersive 2-day masterclass designed to bridge the gap between classroom knowledge and real-world communication practice. Every participant is application-screened. Not just registered.
Cohort 01 brings together 30 hand-selected final-year and penultimate students from Mass Communication, Language, Linguistics, Public Relations, and Marketing programmes across universities in Nigeria. Four working professionals not academicians, lead every session. They are chosen for depth of practice and a willingness to give honest, industry-level feedback.
Learn
Industry-led sessions on campaign thinking, content strategy, and real communication practice.
Apply
Live briefs in groups of five. Crisis comms. Brand strategy. Real scenarios with real stakes.
Perform
Final presentations critiqued live by all four facilitators. Honest. Industry-standard. No sugarcoating.
Two days. Structured with intention.
Day 01
Unlearn
Day one challenges participants to unlearn and rebuild their understanding of communication. Industry-led sessions on campaign thinking, content strategy, and real communication practice. No academic theory.
Campaign Thinking: how strategies are actually built
Content Strategy: what works and what does not
Communication in the African market: context matters
Group formation and brief introduction
Day 02
Execute
Day two moves from thinking to execution. Participants work on live briefs in groups of five, then present to all four facilitators for honest, industry-standard critique.
Live group briefs: crisis comms and brand strategy
Real scenarios with real stakes
Final presentations to all four facilitators
Honest, industry-standard critique — no sugarcoating
Four practitioners. Each owning a pillar.
All four facilitators are working professionals, not academicians. Selected for depth of practice and willingness to give honest, industry-level feedback to students.
The Storyteller
Rahaman Abiola
Editor in Chief, Legit.ng
One of Nigeria's leading digital media editors. Rahaman brings real-platform authority on Nigerian digital behaviour, content strategy, and how stories actually travel in the attention economy.
The Strategist
Chinwe Micheal
Head of Companies & Markets, BusinessDay
A journalist and business media leader with deep expertise in market narratives, brand communication, and the strategic framing of complex ideas for sophisticated audiences.
The Insider
Hassan Uthman
Founder, The HOU Co.
A cross-sector strategist with 14+ years across e-commerce, film, banking, tech - mobility and gaming. He is the advisor leaders trust to help them navigate complexity.
The Operator
Ibilola Ogunnaike
PR Advisor, MTN Nigeria
A marketing communications professional supporting MTN Nigeria's reputation management, public relations, and media relations. Leverages an Educational Psychology background to develop communication strategies for diverse audiences.
Beyond the sessions, you leave with tangible value.
TalkComms certificate of completion — a credential you will reference
Strategy Framework PDF developed specifically for the programme
Private access to the founding TalkComms cohort network
Early registration priority for the November TalkComms Summit
Campus Ambassador consideration for top performers
Professional documentation and editorial content from the event
Key dates to know.
Applications Open
June 2026
Application Deadline
July 10, 2026
Selection Announced
July 17, 2026
Founders Circle Cohort 01
July 24 to 25, 2026
TalkComms Summit 2026
November 2026
30 seats. One application. No exceptions.
In November 2025, we hosted the maiden TalkComms Summit. What became immediately clear is that inspiration is no longer the gap — structured, practice-driven development is. Founders Circle is our direct response to that.
Every participant is screened. Not just registered. We are looking for final-year and penultimate students who are serious about building a career in communication.
Who Should Apply
Final-year or penultimate students
Studying Mass Comm, PR, Journalism, Linguistics, Marketing or related
Nigerian university students
Serious about a career in communication
Step 1 of 3 — Personal Info