NIJ Matriculates 293 New Students, Prepares Them For Transforming Media Landscape

The Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ) has welcomed 293 new students at its 23rd Matriculation Ceremony held at the Sir Kesington Adebutu Media Resource Centre in Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos.

The incoming class comprises 138 National Diploma (ND), 69 Higher National Diploma (HND), and 86 Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) students.

In his address, Provost Mr. Gbenga Adefaye emphasised the crucial role NIJ plays in shaping the future of Nigerian media, particularly in a rapidly evolving digital age.

He stated that the Institute’s curriculum is designed to equip students not just to adapt to change, but to lead it with “competence, courage, and conscience.”

“You are joining the profession at a moment of profound transformation,” Adefaye told the matriculating class. “Journalism and applied mass communication are being reshaped by digital technology, artificial intelligence, and an increasingly complex information ecosystem.”
He highlighted the need for modern media professionals to be proficient in areas like multimedia production, data-driven storytelling, fact-checking, and strategic content management.

Adefaye underscored NIJ’s commitment to a balance of rigorous academic instruction and hands-on professional training, a tradition sustained for over five decades.

He assured students that admissions were conducted with full compliance with national standards through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS), guaranteeing the integrity of their credentials and future eligibility for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

The Provost outlined a robust program of professional development opportunities for students, including field trips, the Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES), professional competitions, entrepreneurship training, and intensive newsroom practice.

He noted the high demand for NIJ interns within the media industry, with many securing employment directly after their placements.

Adefaye also highlighted the Institute’s recent successful accreditation by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) in December 2024, which included full institutional accreditation until 2030, full accreditation for the ND program, and provisional accreditation for the newly disaggregated HND programs in Journalism and Media Studies, and Strategic Communication and Media Studies.

He stressed the importance of ethical conduct and academic discipline, stating that NIJ is “not a certificate factory” but a “professional academy” dedicated to producing socially responsible communicators.
He urged students to embrace curiosity, respect for diversity, resilience, and a commitment to community.

Addressing the growing threat of misinformation, Adefaye warned students about the impact of “fake news” on public trust and democratic stability, emphasizing their responsibility as future journalists to combat it.

He also acknowledged the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the media landscape, promising to equip students with the skills to utilise it responsibly.

Adefaye congratulated the Class of 2026, encouraging them to view their time at NIJ not merely as a path to a certificate, but as a journey to becoming leaders and ethical custodians of public information.