“Unbundling Mass Communication untimely for Nigeria” – JAMB Registrar

Prof. Is’haq Oloyede, the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), has labeled the recent push to unbundle Mass Communication courses in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions as untimely.

Speaking at the 15th anniversary celebration of 89.3FM, the University of Ilorin’s radio station, Oloyede argued that such specialization should be deferred until postgraduate studies, citing concerns over the country’s current educational and employment landscape.

Oloyede addressed the theme, “The Future of Radio, AI and the Transformation of Broadcasting,” and emphasized that Nigeria’s level of development does not yet warrant the unbundling of Mass Communication at the undergraduate level.

He expressed concerns that this move could limit job opportunities for graduates in a country already facing high unemployment rates.

“It is crucial to maintain a broad-based approach at the undergraduate level given our current developmental challenges,” Oloyede stated.

He also revealed the vital role of radio in societal development and its potential to boost the local economy, particularly through nighttime programming.

The anniversary event featured notable speakers including Prof. Wahab Egbewole, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, who praised the radio station’s achievements over the past 15 years and commended Oloyede’s visionary leadership.

Egbewole pledged continued support for the station’s growth and its role in community engagement.

Prof. Francisca Oladipo, Vice-Chancellor of Thomas Adewumi University, Oko, discussed the transformative impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on radio broadcasting.

She noted AI’s potential to enhance personalization, script writing, and fact-checking within the industry.