By Ibrahim Kegbegbe, Timothy Adegbola
Lagos — The Provost of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, on Wednesday warned that fake news, artificial intelligence and digital disinformation now pose serious threats to public trust and democratic stability, urging students to embrace ethical journalism as a public responsibility.
Adefaye gave the warning while delivering his address at the 23rd Matriculation Ceremony of the Institute, held at the Sir Kensington Adebutu Media Resource Centre, NIJ, Ogba, Lagos, where 293 fresh students were formally inducted into the institution.
According to the Provost, journalism and applied mass communication are undergoing “a profound transformation” driven by digital technology, artificial intelligence and data-driven storytelling.
“Fake news is no longer a nuisance; it is a threat to public trust and democratic stability. Your training here is therefore both a privilege and a public responsibility,” Adefaye said.
He explained that modern journalists must go beyond traditional reporting skills, stressing that today’s media professionals are expected to master multimedia production, podcasting, digital investigations, fact-checking and strategic content management.
“Artificial Intelligence is real and will seriously impact the media business ecosystem. We will help you master it for positive application,” he added.
293 Students Inducted
The Provost disclosed that the Institute matriculated 138 National Diploma (ND) students, 69 Higher National Diploma (HND) students, and 86 Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) students, describing them as “future voices in Nigeria’s media and public communication landscape.”
He noted that the matriculation exercise was conducted in strict compliance with national admission standards in collaboration with the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and processed through the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS).
“This guarantees the integrity of your records and certificates, as well as your future eligibility for NYSC mobilisation where applicable,” Adefaye stated.
Attendance, Discipline Non-Negotiable
Setting clear expectations for the new students, the Provost stressed that attendance and discipline are non-negotiable at NIJ, warning that a minimum of 70 per cent lecture attendance is required before any student can sit for examinations.
“NIJ is not a certificate factory. We are a professional academy committed to producing ethical, disciplined and socially responsible communicators dedicated to truth, accountability and public interest,” he said.
He also emphasised the importance of decent dressing and professional conduct, noting that journalism remains a credibility-driven profession.
Hands-On Training, Industry Exposure
Adefaye highlighted NIJ’s long-standing reputation for combining rigorous academic instruction with hands-on professional training, a tradition he said has sustained the Institute for over five decades.
Students, he said, would benefit from newsroom practice across print, broadcast and digital platforms, as well as field trips, SIWES programmes, entrepreneurship training and participation in professional competitions.
“Many media organisations today directly ask us for our best interns for employment,” the Provost revealed.
He added that successful HND graduates of NIJ are eligible for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) mobilisation, placing them on equal professional footing with graduates of other tertiary institutions nationwide.
No Strikes, Stable Academic Calendar
One of NIJ’s major strengths, Adefaye said, is its uninterrupted academic calendar, noting that the Institute has recorded no strikes, shutdowns or avoidable delays over the years.
“We intend to sustain this tradition with your cooperation,” he told the students.
He urged them to take proper care of the Institute’s facilities, particularly its newly equipped ICT laboratories, describing them as shared institutional assets.
NBTE Accreditation, Programme Expansion
The Provost also announced that NIJ successfully completed its accreditation exercise with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) in December 2024.
According to him, the exercise resulted in:
Full institutional accreditation valid till 2030
Full accreditation for the ND programme till 2030
Provisional accreditation for newly disaggregated HND programmes in Journalism and Media Studies, and Strategic Communication and Media Studies
He disclosed that a follow-up NBTE visit has been scheduled for the second semester of the 2025/2026 academic session.
“This positions NIJ at the forefront of modern, globally relevant media education in Nigeria,” Adefaye said.
Call to Leadership and Ethics
As the ceremony went on, the Provost charged the matriculating students to see their time at NIJ as a mission beyond certificate acquisition.
“You are not here merely to earn a certificate. You are here to become leaders, innovators and ethical custodians of public information,” he said.
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He added that Nigeria urgently needs journalists and applied mass communicators who are courageous, competent and ethically principled.
“NIJ will equip you with the skills, confidence and professional identity that will define your career long after graduation,” Adefaye assured.
The ceremony was attended by members of the Academic Board, faculty members, parents, guardians and invited guests.
