When Naima Arabow completed her one-year Diploma Programme in Journalism at Somali National University (SNU), she didn’t just graduate with a certificate – she gained the skills, confidence and vision to leave a successful career in TV and start her own media company.
“The Diploma Programme at SNU helped me develop the skills needed to produce impactful media content and tell meaningful stories, especially on social and humanitarian issues,” Naima Arabow explains.
Armed with new skills in news reporting, media ethics and community storytelling, Naima Arabow, a 29 year old journalist from Mogadishu, founded Infinity Media Solutions, a media production company that stands as one of the few female-run media platforms in Somalia. Her now two-year old company focuses on high quality content and critical social issues, particularly women’s experiences, producing documentaries on topics like climate change, mental health and women’s empowerment.
“During the Diploma Programme, I learned about news reporting, media ethics and community production,” she recalls. “These weren’t just theoretical lessons, but practical skills that gave me the confidence to become a media entrepreneur.”
The Diploma Programmes, which Naima Arabow attended, are 1- and 2-year programmes targeting working journalists. The students on the programme works as journalists in the mornings and attend lectures in the afternoon. In a country which has had no formal journalism education for a quarter of a century, this kind of professional training is a unique opportunity for working journalists to upgrade their knowledge and skills. The track record of the Diploma Programmes shows that many of the students have been promoted, found new and better jobs, started their own media houses and improved the level of journalism at their media houses.
In a media landscape traditionally dominated by men, Naima Arabow’s journey from presenter on the prominent Somali media company Astaan TV to student and company founder represents more than a personal achievement – it’s a testament to the transformative power and impact of targeted educational programmes. Fojo Media Institute has supported the reinstatement of internationally approved journalism education at Somali National University in Mogadishu since 2018, and the Diploma Programmes were launched in 2020 in the wake of the civil war. Following those, a BA in journalism has also started.
Currently funded through advertising, Naima Arabow’s company represents a significant change in Somalia’s media ecosystem. “We’re not just reporting stories,” Naima emphasises, “we’re committed to engaging with communities, addressing local stories that resonate globally, encouraging dialogue and holding decision-makers accountable.”
Her experience as a journalist has made her well-aware of the fact that women’s stories are underrepresented in the media in Somalia. “We give women a voice, promoting gender equality by focusing on topics such as equal access to education, reproductive rights and combatting gender-based financing.”
Her vision for the future extends beyond her own company. “My vision is to grow Infinity Media Solutions into a leading voice of independent journalism that centres around the stories of women. I want to create a future where we have sustainable jobs, regular salaries and can continue inspiring female journalists.”
Infinity Media Solutions now produces documentaries, provides mentorship and challenges existing media narratives while also taking time to train and educate future journalists.
