…..Former HOD Prof. Sunday Oloruntola, Elected Pioneer Dean
The University of Lagos (UNILAG) has unbundled its Mass Communication Department from the Faculty of Social Sciences into five programmes under the newly established Faculty of Communication and Media Studies to enhance specialisation and professionalism.
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 sub region, with Professor S. Scotten as its first Dean.
The new Faculty has three departments, namely, Mass Communication, Public Relations and Advertising and Journalism, Broadcasting and Media Studies.
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The programmes include BSc, MSc, PhD Mass Communication, BSc. Public Relations, BSc. Advertising, BSc. Journalism and BSc. Broadcasting.
University of Lagos currently has twelve Faculties, namely, Arts, Basic Medical Sciences, Business Administration, Clinical Sciences, Dental Sciences, Education, Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Law, Pharmacy, Science, and Social Sciences and with this addition, its now 13 faculties.
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.
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 in the past has been led by distinguished academics, including the late Professor Alfred Opubor, Professor Onuora Nwuneli, and Professor Ralph Akinfeleye. The Department has trained generations of media professionals across Nigeria and West Africa.
Some of the alumni 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, amongst others.
Former HOD of Mass Communication Dept, Unilag, Prof Sunday, Elected Pioneer Dean of Faculty of Communication and Media Studies
The former Head of the 58-year-old Mass Communication Department of the University of Lagos, Professor Sunday Oloruntola, was unanimously elected as the Pioneer Dean of the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies on Friday, 20th, June, 2025, following the unbundling of the department.
Dr. Ebony Oketunmbi was elected as the Sub-Dean. Their election was announced by Mr. Abayomi Osinowo, Principal Assistant Registrar, Senate and Ceremonies, who led a committee to conduct the election.
Speaking before the election, 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.
Professor Sunday’s election as Dean marks a new chapter for the faculty, which is expected to drive academic excellence and innovation in communication and media studies.
The Dean’s office holds a renewable two-year term, while the Sub-Dean position is for a one-year term. Dr. Ibitayo Popoola on behalf of praised Professor Sunday as “a man of history” and thanked the Vice-Chancellor for fulfilling her promise to unbundle the Department.
The Dean, Prof. Oloruntola Sunday, in an interview, welcomed the development, stressing that the unbundling was in line with the recommendations of the National Universities Commission (NUC), which recently unbundled the national curriculum for some courses in which Mass Communication was part of.
He further noted that with the development, the department would need more hands by employing new lecturers to take the new courses.
He however, assured that the department is well-equipped with the necessary facilities to ensure the smooth running of the faculty.
BV.
