A professor of print journalism and mass media theory and research at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Eserinune M. Mojaye, has called for universities and other academic institutions to include seasoned media veterans in teaching roles.
Mojaye made this call while delivering the 29th inaugural lecture series at NOUN in Abuja yesterday.
Speaking on “Constructing and deconstructing journalism practice and communication research in Nigeria: A 40-year experience,” he urged academic institutions to bridge the gap between theory and real-world media practice.
He said that with decades of hands-on expertise, media professionals would be better equipped to prepare students for the challenges of the evolving industry. Universities can produce more competent, industry-ready graduates by doing so.
“I am aware that the National Universities Commission (NUC) has coerced all the ‘independent’ and ‘dependent’ universities in Nigeria to accept and maintain a practice where they claim that veteran journalists who were trained academically by acquiring first degrees in journalism or mass communication, and who have practiced the profession, experienced the ups and downs, and successfully tackled the unpredictable challenges of the profession for many years, should not be allowed to come into the academic classroom to teach upcoming journalists.
“However, can such a policy really be in the best interest of the upcoming journalists of Gen-Z and the next generation, whose eyes and ears are set on entering the profession and hitting the ground running with groundbreaking exclusives? I do not think so.”
To stem the tide of brain drain and brain rejection, Mojaye argued that successful and veteran professionals in communication and other disciplines should be allowed to enter the academic space without obstacles, just as veteran academics have free access to the professions if they wish.
“Of course, none of them would accept such degradation and humiliation. In academia, we complain of ‘brain-drain,’ yet we also promote ‘brain-rejection.
“I do not see journalism and academia as two worlds apart. Hence, in the field of communication and media studies, we need to review our criteria for assessing productivity,” he added.
Also speaking, the vice-chancellor of NOUN, Prof. Olufemi Peters, commended the guest lecturer for the insightful presentation.
Represented by the deputy vice-chancellor, Administration of the university, Professor Isaac Sammani Butswat, he said the lecture was exciting and insightful, providing valuable perspectives.
