JAMB: Why we can’t unbound Mass Communication in tertiary institutions

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has described the unbundling of Mass Communication in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions as untimely.

Speaking at the 15th anniversary of 89.3FM, a radio station owned by the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), in the Kwara State capital on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, the JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, said Nigeria has not reached the stage for the unbundling of Mass Communication in tertiary institutions.

Oloyede said the specialisation should be restricted to postgraduate level.

The JAMB boss stated that the country has many graduates looking for jobs, stressing that narrowing down their opportunities to particular disciplines may limit their chances of getting employed.

“We need to be broader, given the level of our under-development. It is important to keep Mass Communication at the undergraduate level,” he said.

Oloyede described radio as a form of mass media and sound communication contributing significantly to the development of society.

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“The intention of the radio is to improve the night economy of a community, especially Ilorin. Some people are night workers, while some are insomniacs,” the JAMB Registrar added.

Oloyede noted that the country’s economy had kept dwindling and needed attention, adding that radio could be used to fill the gap.

He said the major role of the radio station is to disseminate educational programmes and information to students in and around the institution.

Also speaking, the UNILORIN Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Egbewole, lauded the radio station for its achievements since its establishment 15 years ago.

Egbewole also commended Oloyede’s visionary stance which, he said, resulted in the establishment of the station during his tenure as UNILORIN Vice-Chancellor.

He pledged that the university would ensure that the radio station continued to develop and excel, even in the face of all odds.

The VC said: “There is need for navigating, repositioning and going back to the approaches employed.

“The university will continue to identify with issues that challenge and proffer solutions to the community.”

The Star