…Launches “The Nigerian Project” and DTN @2.0 to Bridge Heritage and Digital Innovation
In a landmark moment for Nigerian media and national identity, Folio Communications Plc, publishers of Daily Times Nigeria, DTN, has unveiled plans for the Daily Times @100 Centenary Celebration, marking one hundred years of the nation’s most iconic newspaper brand and launching an ambitious strategy to redefine journalism, storytelling, and national perception in the digital era.
The announcement was made at a World Press Conference held at the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria, NPAN Conference Room, Maryland, Lagos, which introduced two transformative initiatives: The Nigerian Project and DTN @2.0, a bold blueprint for the next century of Nigerian journalism.
Founded in 1926, Daily Times Nigeria has for nearly a century served as both witness and participant in the nation’s evolution, from colonial administration to independence, from military rule to democracy, and now into the digital age.
Through decades of reform and rebirth, Daily Times has been the national mirror, chronicling Nigeria’s triumphs and transitions while nurturing generations of journalists who went on to shape the country’s media and political landscape.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Fidelis Anosike, Chairman of Folio Communications Plc and Publisher of Daily Times Nigeria, described the centenary as “a fusion of legacy and innovation, a celebration of history that looks decisively toward the future.”
The Nigerian project: Reviving national identity through storytelling
“The Daily Times is not just a newspaper; it is an institution that has told Nigeria’s story for a hundred years. This centenary is both a reflection and a renewal of purpose, identity, and vision. Through The Nigerian Project and DTN @2.0, we are reimagining what national media can achieve when heritage meets innovation,” he said.
At the heart of the centenary celebration is The Nigerian Project, a visionary platform designed to leverage Daily Times’ unparalleled archives and brand legacy to reshape Nigeria’s global perception through authentic storytelling, digital innovation, and cultural reinvention.
The initiative positions Daily Times as a national anchor for positive narratives, creative expression, and civic dialogue. By deploying its century-deep archives, one of the most comprehensive records of Nigeria’s modern history, the paper seeks to reconnect national identity with factual, inspiring storytelling.
“Nigeria’s story is too important to be told inaccurately. We are deploying 100 years of authentic documentation to redefine how Nigeria is seen and understood, both at home and abroad,” Anosike noted.
The project also revisits Daily Times’ proud legacy as the first indigenous company to be listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, underscoring its historic contribution to national enterprise, capital formation, and self-determination.
DTN @2.0: Building a digital newsroom for the future
Folio Communications Plc revealed that it is currently building a global and continental digital newsroom for DTN @2.0, equipped to connect Nigerian journalism with the wider African diaspora and global audiences. This digital infrastructure will position Daily Times as a 21st-century hub for credible African stories told with context, authority, and innovation.
Set for full rollout on June 25, 2026, DTN @2.0 will feature a restructured newsroom, data-led content creation, multimedia storytelling, and cross-platform integration designed to serve both Nigerian and international audiences while preserving the paper’s journalistic ethos.
The initiative aims to attract a global investment company and bring together 100 proudly Nigerian enterprises as centenary partners, creating a collaborative ecosystem that reinforces national pride, creative industry growth, and media sustainability.
“Our goal is to make Daily Times the global standard for African journalism in the digital age; credible, creative, and commercially sustainable,” Anosike emphasised.
To complement its transformation agenda, Folio Communications Plc also announced the launch of the Folio Media and Creative Academy, FMCA, a capacity development platform aimed at training over 50,000 Nigerian journalists, students, and creatives in digital media, storytelling, and innovation.
The FMCA Impact Series will feature respected Nigerian media icons such as Ambassador Dele Cole, Aremo Segun Osoba, Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi, and Dr. Onyema Ugochukwu, who will serve as mentors and faculty members.
The initiative seeks to restore professionalism in journalism, bridge the digital skills gap, and position young Nigerians as global media innovators, equipped to tell Africa’s stories with integrity and impact.
A century of legacy, A future of innovation
The Daily Times @100 celebration, which runs from October 2025 through June 2026, will feature a series of national events, including exhibitions, archival showcases, a National Lecture Series on Media and Democracy, and a Grand Gala and Awards Night in Lagos to honour Nigeria’s media legends and cultural trailblazers.
Partnerships with universities, private sector organizations, and international development partners are also being established to advance media literacy, preserve Nigeria’s journalistic heritage, and promote innovation-driven storytelling across the continent.
“We are not just celebrating the past. We are creating a platform for the next 100 years of Nigerian storytelling, where heritage becomes the foundation for a new generation of innovation, creativity, and truth,” Anosike concluded.
