Abdulbaqi tasks Mass Comm. students on social change

By Abubakar Abdulquadri and Bashir Dawodu

The Dean of the Faculty of Communication and Information Sciences, University of Ilorin, Prof. Saudat Salah Abdulbaqi, has urged students, particularly those in the Department of Mass Communication, to take a lead by always embarking on sensitisation campaigns aimed at identifying societal problems and becoming problem solvers.

Prof. Abdulbaqi made the call penultimate Friday (February 27, 2026) while speaking at the presentation of Development Communication Project(DPP) organised by the 300-level students of the Department of Mass Communication at the Faculty Lecture Theatre.

The Dean explained that DPP is aimed at effecting attitudinal changes and securing a better future. She noted that this is a collective responsibility of all because the project topics resonate with the current needs of the country that ought to be addressed.

She emphasised the essence of embarking on thorough research by the students, leveraging available resources, and assured them that when they are done with their research works and it requires financial support, the Faculty will come to their aid.

Prof. Abdulbaqi, who is also a lecturer in charge of Development Communication, said as students of Mass Communication they are expected to produce something marketable.

She equally encouraged them to collaborate with CISSA on the campaign of International Communication that Prof. Mustapha is driving and noted that one good thing that has emerged was the adoption of the Faculty cleaning exercise by CISSA, as they equally carry out a faculty cleaning exercise quarterly, and the responsibility of the Faculty cleaning is not left alone to only students of Mass Communication.

“All students in the Faculty collectively generate refuse and all must be responsible for this”, she said.

The Dean congratulated all the groups on their presentations, describing them as impactful and productive. She also encouraged them to improve on all areas where attention has been drawn in order to have a well-researched engagement for future purposes.

Speaking with UNILORIN Bulletin, the Ag. Head of the Department of Mass Communication, University of Ilorin, Dr Patrick Udende, said that project defence exercises in Communication for Development demonstrate students’ ability to apply classroom knowledge to real-world challenges.

According to him, the defence highlights the practical application of theoretical teachings in Communication for Development, saying that the course draws inspiration from the Millennium Development Goals and focuses on communication strategies aimed at promoting societal change and sustainable development. He noted that the presentation focuses on communication strategies to promote societal change and sustainable development. He equally encouraged students to embrace a culture of sustainable living beyond the university environment.

Also speaking, the lecturer-in-charge of International Communication, Prof. Lambe Kayode Mustapha congratulated students of the Department for their wonderful presentation.

Prof. Mustapha, who is also the Director of the General Studies Division, stressed that all they have done on this project is capable of pushing the frontier of development and helping the country achieve lofty goals.

He  said the Faculty would not rest on its oars to ensure they are at the forefront of making the change they desire in the country, and that is why the Dean assured them they will be given the needed support and pushing frontier to the necessary agencies in order to secure a bay that will make them become solution providers as expected in the University.

Prof. Mustapha, who is also a former Head of the Department, added that he was very impressed about the “Keeping the Faculty Clean” exercise they had in the International Communication class and the beautification of the Faculty.

He,therefore, advised students to continue to make the exercise part of them for them to become agents of change wherever they find themselves.

In his remarks, a Visiting Lecturer from the Department of Mass Communication, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Dr Ismail Olawale, urged students to continue to develop their skills in Development Communication and Community Intervention, as he also observed that expertise showcases their capacity to design and implement development projects effectively.

He added that it is part of the Department’s and the University’s corporate social responsibility to give back to the society by addressing pressing social problems.