The University of Lagos (UNILAG) has elevated its renowned Department of Mass Communication to a full-fledged entity, establishing the new Faculty of Communication and Media Studies (FCMS). This significant development comes 58 years after the department’s inception.
In a landmark election held today, Professor Oloruntola Sunday, the former Head of the Mass Communication Department, was unanimously elected as the pioneer Dean of the new faculty. He will serve a renewable two-year term. Dr. Ebony Oketunmbi was elected as the Sub-Dean for a one-year term. The election was announced by Mr. Abayomi Osinowo, Principal Assistant Registrar for Senate and Ceremonies.
The department, initially established in 1966 as an Institute of Mass Communication through a bilateral agreement involving the Federal Government, UNDP, and UNESCO, was envisioned as a training hub for journalists across the African sub-region. It began as a one-year diploma program before evolving into a degree-awarding institution in 1968. Over the decades, it has trained generations of media professionals, including notable figures like the late Prince Tony Momoh, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Mr. John Momoh, Chief Olusegun Osoba, and Pulitzer Prize winner Mr. Dele Olojede.
Professor Adelaja Odukoya, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, expressed mixed emotions about the department’s “regretful exit” from his faculty. However, he expressed hope that the new FCMS would achieve global recognition, noting its current status as the first in Nigeria, West Africa, and Africa.
The new Faculty of Communication and Media Studies is poised to build on this rich legacy. It will continue to provide practical training through its existing media platforms, including Radio Unilag 103.1 FM, UnilagTV, Unilag Sun Newspaper, and MassCope Magazine. At the 2025 UNILAG convocation, the department celebrated a remarkable achievement, graduating 12 PhD candidates and 18 all-female students with first-class B.Sc. degrees.
Dr. Ibitayo Popoola, speaking on behalf of the department, lauded Professor Sunday as a “man of history” and thanked the Vice-Chancellor for fulfilling the promise to unbundle the department, praying for the success of her broader vision for the university.
