The University of Lagos (UNILAG) has unbundled its Department of Mass Communication from the Faculty of Social Sciences to establish a new Faculty of Communication and Media Studies (FCMS).

Professor Oloruntola Sunday, former Head of the Mass Communication Department, was unanimously elected as the pioneer Dean of the newly created faculty, while Dr. Ebony Oketunmbi was elected Sub-Dean. Their election was announced at the Board Room 2 of the Faculty of Social Sciences today, June 20, 2025, by the Principal Assistant Registrar, Senate and Ceremonies, Mr. Abayomi Osinowo, who led three other members of the committee to conduct the election.

The elevation comes 58 years after the Department was established in 1966 as an Institute of Mass Communication, following a bilateral agreement between the Federal Government, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and UNESCO. The department was created with the vision of serving as a centre for training journalists in the African subregion, with Professor S. Scotten as its first Dean.

Speaking before the election today, Professor Adelaja Odukoya, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, expressed mixed emotions about the development, describing it as “a regretful exit”. While acknowledging that “children have to be greater than the parents”, he prayed that the new faculty would become the first globally, emphasising that it is already “the first in Nigeria, West Africa, and Africa”. He wished the new faculty success in all its endeavours.

The Mass Communication Department has undergone several transformations since its inception. Initially housed within the University’s Library Complex, it later moved to the Faculty of Arts before being integrated into the Faculty of Social Sciences in February 1974. The department has been led by distinguished academics, including the late Professor Alfred Opubor, Professor Onuora Nwuneli, and the Jagaban of Mass Communication, Professor Ralph A. Akinfeleye. The Department has trained generations of media professionals across Nigeria and West Africa.

Some of her past students include the late Prince Tony Momoh, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Mrs. Ruth Benamaisia-Opia, Mr. John Momoh, Mr. Dele Olojede, the first African to win the Pulitzer Prize in international journalism, Chief Olusegun Osoba, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, among others.

The new Faculty of Communication and Media Studies represents the culmination of decades of growth and academic excellence. From its humble beginning as a one-year diploma program in 1966 to degree awarding in 1968, the department has consistently evolved to meet the changing needs of media education in Nigeria and West Africa. At the 2025 Unilag convocation, the Department graduated 12 PhD candidates and 18 all-female first-class students with B.Sc. degrees.

Speaking on behalf of the department at the ceremony, Dr. Ibitayo Popoola described Professor Sunday as “a man of history” and thanked the Vice-Chancellor for fulfilling her promise to unbundle the Department. He prayed to God to grant her the grace to fulfil all her grand visions for the university.

The Dean’s office holds a renewable two-year term, while the Sub-Dean position is for a one-year term.

The new Faculty of Communication and Media Studies is expected to build on the department’s legacy of media excellence in Africa, including its operation of Radio Unilag 103.1 FM, UnilagTV, Unilag Sun Newspaper, and MassCope Magazine, which provide practical training for broadcast and print students and serve the university community.

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Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has awarded a cash gift of N10 million to Isioma Sybil Nwosu, the best graduating student of Lagos State University for the 2023/2024 academic session.

Nwosu, a graduate of Biochemistry from the Faculty of Science, finished with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.93.

The Governor announced the gift on Thursday during LASU’s 28th Convocation Ceremony held at the Buba Marwa Auditorium, Ojo.

The convocation ceremony also saw the conferment of Honorary Doctorate Degrees and Distinguished Professorships on notable individuals, including the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brigadier-General Mohammed Buba Marwa (retd.), and former Lagos State Deputy Governor, Otunba Olufemi Pedro.

Marwa, who once served as military administrator of Lagos State, was honoured with a Doctor of Humane Letters (Infrastructure, Security and National Development) Honoris Causa.

Pedro received a Doctor of Business (Banking, Entrepreneurship and National Development) Honoris Causa.

Represented by his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, Sanwo-Olu emphasised the importance of education to societal development.

“Education is the backbone of our society, and we must recognise its importance in addressing societal needs and human development,” he said.

He stressed that academic excellence should be held in the same regard as achievements in entertainment, fashion, or sports.

“It’s our responsibility to foster a culture that hungers for knowledge and innovation,” the Governor said.

Sanwo-Olu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to empowering students in state-owned tertiary institutions through strategic investments and infrastructure development.

“We are committed to providing more significant financial investment towards expanding infrastructure within and around, ensuring the safety and welfare of the staff and students of the University,” he said.

The Governor also pointed to the themes and agenda, noting that education is a key priority for his government. He highlighted programmes such as the Job Initiative Lagos, which is designed to enhance the employability of final-year students.

“These efforts demonstrate our commitment to improving the welfare of staff and students of this University, providing opportunities for educational advancement to indigenes and residents of our dear Lagos State,” he added.

Vice-Chancellor of LASU, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, commended the state government for its continuous support, describing it as “truly exceptional.”

She disclosed that 43 out of the 44 courses offered by the university were accredited during the October–November 2023 accreditation exercise.

She also noted that the Africa Centre of Excellence for Innovative and Transformative STEM Education had commenced new postgraduate programmes, which for the first time included international students.

In his address, the Chancellor of LASU, Prof. Gbolahan Elias (SAN), encouraged the graduating students to be good ambassadors of the university.

“You are not only representing yourselves but also your families, your university, and your state,” he said, urging them to remain innovative and focused in their pursuit of success.

A total of 11,917 students graduated from LASU during the ceremony. This included 971 Diploma holders, 8,711 first-degree graduates, 2,235 Postgraduate students, 302 Postgraduate Diplomas, 1,132 Academic Masters, 639 Professional Masters, 125 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD.) recipients, and 37 holders of Professional Doctoral Degrees.

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In a significant development, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, has officially upgraded the Department of Mass Communication to a fully-fledged faculty, solidifying its commitment to academic excellence. This transformation was recently ratified during a pivotal session of the university’s senate held on Thursday.

The strategic move resulted in the expansion of the Mass Communication department to encompass Media Studies, leading to the establishment of the Faculty of Mass Communication and Media Studies.

Professor Muhammad Rabiu has been appointed as the inaugural Dean of the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies.

Under the faculty, three distinct departments have emerged, each with a designated head. Professor Kaior Samuel Akpede heads the Department of Broadcasting; Dr. Tsegyu Santas takes the helm of the Department of Journalism and Media Studies, and Dr. Anthony Ogande assumes leadership of the Department of Public Relations.

During the announcement, Dean Rabiu shared the vision for the future, quoting the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Suleiman Bala Mohammed. The Vice-Chancellor affirmed that, ”in due course, the remaining five departments within the unbundled Mass Communication programme would be unveiled for academic activities.”

These upcoming departments include Advertising, Development Communication Studies, Film and Multi-Media Studies, Information and Media Studies, and Strategic Communication Studies. This expansion not only broadens the academic offerings but also signifies Nasarawa State University’s dedication to staying at the forefront of contemporary communication studies.

The establishment of the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies reflects the university’s commitment to providing a comprehensive and diverse education in the dynamic field of communication. With this move, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, is poised to make significant contributions to shaping the future of media and communication professionals.

Nigeria’s Universities regulatory body, the National Universities Commission, NUC had directed full implementation of the unbundling of the Mass Communication department to take effect from 2021.

Some Universities such as Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo; Lagos State University, (LASU), Lagos; Imo State University, (IMSU), Imo; University of Uyo, Bayero University, Kano (BUK), among others have elevated their Mass Communication Departments to Faculties.

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