By Chinaza Osigwe
Maxwell, a 5 year graduate of mass communication from the Nnamdi Azikiwe University,Awka looked so tired as he roamed the streets of Awka in search of a job that fateful Tuesday morning as he had always done since after graduation. Dressed in a three piece suit as one going for an interview, he was soaked with sweat.
As he trekked , he made mental notes of how many companies had rejected his application simply because the course he studied in the university had no clear cut specialization. Those companies would rather employ those who had done their masters as they believe they have a clear cut specialization than recent graduates.
Maxwell finally decided that very day to finally join Papa Ebuka in his carpentry work. He reasoned that instead of staying idle it was better.
These and more,are plights graduates of Mass communication face after their graduation. Mass communication as a course is too broad to be studied as a single degree in the university. Most times these graduates roam about the streets in search of jobs but at the end most of them venture into other businesses like Maxwell.
A graduate of mass communication from the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Victor Emeka stated that the inability of some universities especially his own university to unbundle has significant effects on him and his colleagues.
He said that the lack of specialization in an area of Mass communication led to the production of half baked graduates whilst saying that it led to the tag,”Jack of all trade and a master of none”.
Ibeh Timothy, another gradute from UNIZIK gives an account of how he suffered before he was able to get his current job.He said” I had a really hard time getting a job”. I was jobless for close to three years after graduation and you know what that means. My parents were losing hope in me, I don’t blame them because they had done their part in training me.He says the concept of the unbundling should be looked into to create more jobs and specialized areas.
Most times in school, students are forced to study courses they might not necessarily be interested in as in the case of Ifeanyi Jeremiah of UNIZIK.Ifeanyi says he wants to specialize in Public Relations(P.R) but he just noticed that he will take only four courses on PR all through his stay in the school. He wonders how he will be an effective PR officer when he doesn’t have a solid foundation in school.
Andikan Willie from the University of Uyo says that if all schools will be able to unbundle then the burden of so many students will be relieved. He noted that most students studying mass communication end up not knowing much about the courses they studied and thus affects them later on in the labour market.
A remedy for our woes
In realization of this issue and as part of the revitalization of university education in Nigeria, the Nigeria Universities Commission (NUC) through it’s executive Secretary, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed announced the uñbundling of Mass communication in 2020.
This was the brain child of the recommendations by stakeholders and professionals at the National conference that finalized the draft on review of Mass communication curriculum facilitated by Bayero University, Kano (BUK), held in February, 2018.
According to Prof. Rasheed, it was stated that the department would be uñbundled into several degree programmes to create a distinct discipline of Communication comprising of degree program in Advertising, Broadcasting, Development Communication Studies, Film and Multi media studies, Mass communication, Journalism, Public Relations and strategic Communication hereby making mass communication which was previously a department into a faculty.
Rasheed also said the unbundling was one of the measures taken to initiate massive reforms in the university and also helping universities build strong programmes.
This development was met with joy by lecturers and students alike who expressed happiness at the thought of specialization.
Prof. Stella Okunna, a renowned scholar of mass communication and the V. C of Paul University, Awka in an interview with Prime Business Africa expressed hope that the unbundling of mass communication will pave way for more professionalism. In her words,”The uñbundling will make room for more professionalism,more specialization, more expertise and that’s good for the profession”. So I am happy that the field is growing;it’s expanding”
She also stated that these new development will erase the tag “Jack of all trades and master of none” among graduates of Mass communication as they would be well prepared on areas they want to delve into.
Dr. Henry Duru, a Lecturer of the department of Mass communication, UNIZIK, commenting on the uñbundling is of the view that it is a pleasant development which is welcomed with open arms . In his words ” it is a welcome development and it is in line with trainings going on”. It will produce more refined graduates as it will make one a professional in any area.
Ifechukwu Uche-Offorjama of UNIZIK, says the uñbundling is an avenue to produce grounded and refined professionals but he insists that it will only work for those who have decided on what to study in school.
Likewise Dike Favour who also thinks that the uñbundling has lots of goodies in stock if well implemented. She says the uñbundling is the best thing that can happen to a student as it will reduce workload and pave way for specialization.
Vanishing Joy
However, despite the joy with which the uñbundling was received, most universities are yet to uñbundle.
This delay has dampened the high hopes of Students in UNIZIK and beyond.
Aanuoluwaposin Abioye of Bowen university, has this to say concerning the delay of uñbundling in her school “We have not actually uñbundled in my school but print is a compulsory course in my school while you can choose to do either Broadcasting or advertising/Public Relations”.
Furthermore, she stated that the reason behind for the delay In the unbundling is because lack of equipment whilst stating that building could also be a factor.
Ladele Oreoluwa of University of Ibadan says his school is on the verge of this though it will not affect the present set in the school.
He says UI is currently preparing a new curriculum for the new sets coming in and they would obviously kickstart the unbundling process with them.
The HOD, Mass communication, UNIZIK, Prof. Cornelius Ukweze stated that the only hindrance to the uñbundling here is lack of infrastructure as he solicits for support.
In his words,”The department of Mass communication, Unizik is ready to unbundle, we have enough work force ,the only hindrance is lack of infrastructure and equipments. We ,as a department hereby solicit for support from well meaning individuals who have always been of help to us in the past to come to our aid” He further says anyone who hearkens to the department’s cry will forever be a friend of the department.
When asked if UNIZIK will uñbundle soon, Odogwu Emeka Odogwu PhD, a renowned journalist who doubles as a Lecturer in the school said Unizik will surely uñbundle soon as the VC has given a go-ahead order.
He also stated that;to him ,Unizik already had enough work force and most equipments to uñbundle he however stated that logistics and infrastructure could be the major drawback.
The delay in the uñbundling has actually made the attempt of the NUC somehow futile according to Aanuoluwaposin Abioye of Bowen university said. She stated that “studying everything gives you a surface knowledge but specializing In one area leads to specialization”
However, Emmanuel Nginikanma a graduate of Mass communication,holds a contrary view in regards to the unbundling and specialization. He says that not specializing in any of the various departments under the new arrangement gave him added advantage over others in the labour market.
Joyce Ogboh of University of Ibadan also thinks the unbundling is not really worth it. She however says that if the school is able to provide more practical areas then,it would be better.
Nevertheless, a good number of students have called upon the management of their various schools to make plans in earnest for the uñbundling so as to fulfill the order of the NUC and also to pave way for specialization of it’s students.
P.S: This story was first published in the year 2023, at the former UCJ UNIZIK’s Website.
