By Abdulkadir Bin ABDULMALIK
The Vice-Chancellor of Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU), Anyigba, Professor Salisu Ogbo Usman, has concluded his familiarisation tour of academic faculties with a visit to the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, where he received an impressive reception from staff and students.
The visit, held on Thursday, 19th February 2026, marked the final phase of the Vice-Chancellor’s strategic engagement across faculties aimed at promoting inclusiveness, gathering first-hand information on institutional needs, and strengthening collaboration within the University community.
Welcoming the Vice-Chancellor and members of the University Management, the Dean of the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, Professor Ogwu Chris Attah, congratulated Prof. Usman on his appointment as the sixth Vice-Chancellor of the University and assured him of the Faculty’s loyalty, cooperation, and commitment to advancing academic excellence.
Prof. Attah noted that the Faculty has recorded consistent accreditation success while operating as a department and became one of the first universities in Nigeria to successfully implement the unbundling of Mass Communication into specialised programmes following National Universities Commission (NUC) directives in 2025.
According to him, graduates of the programme have distinguished themselves across national, state, and private media organisations, with some alumni returning to serve as academic staff within the University.
Highlighting achievements of the Faculty, the Dean stated that the successful transition into six specialised departments included Advertising, Broadcasting, Film and Multimedia, Journalism and Media Studies, Mass Communication, and Public Relations.
Despite these strides, he outlined key challenges confronting the Faculty, including inadequate academic and non-academic staff strength, shortage of office accommodation, irregular electricity supply affecting studio operations, lack of water supply, and insufficient office equipment such as computers, printers, and photocopiers needed for academic administration and timely processing of examination results.
The Dean appealed for Management’s intervention, particularly in approving previously allocated office spaces and supporting efforts to restore full operation of the Faculty’s radio station through improved power supply.
Responding, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Salisu Ogbo Usman, expressed appreciation for the warm and enthusiastic reception accorded him, describing the visit as a significant moment in his ongoing familiarisation exercise across faculties.
He congratulated the Faculty for successfully transitioning from the Faculty of Arts and Humanities through the Faculty of Social Sciences to its current independent status following the unbundling of Mass Communication into specialised academic departments.
Prof. Usman explained that the familiarisation tour was designed to ensure inclusiveness in governance and enable University Management to obtain direct and accurate information on challenges facing faculties.
He observed that recurring issues across faculties included staffing shortages, infrastructure deficits, laboratory and studio equipment needs, and staff welfare concerns, assuring that his administration would work deliberately toward improving conditions across all strata of the University.
The Vice-Chancellor urged the Faculty to formally document and submit identified needs to facilitate timely intervention by Management.
He emphasised the critical role of mentorship in academic development, describing himself as a product of mentorship and encouraging staff to nurture younger academics while setting achievable professional standards.
Prof. Usman pledged sustained support for the Faculty’s academic programmes and promised to consolidate on the achievements recorded by his predecessor.
He further charged academic staff to take inaugural lectures seriously as platforms for intellectual contribution and institutional visibility.
The visit marked the conclusion of the Vice-Chancellor’s familiarisation tour, which has consistently emphasised collaboration, mentorship, productivity, and shared responsibility as pillars for institutional advancement.
Highlight of the visit was the presentation of a framed portrait of the Vice-Chancellor by the Dean, alongside representatives of staff and students of the Faculty, as a symbol of appreciation, solidarity, and support for his leadership.
The Vice-Chancellor was accompanied by principal officers of the University, including the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof. J. J. Orugun; Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Ojah Paul Egwemi; Registrar, Barr. Yahaya S. Alilu; Bursar, Dr. (Mrs.) Amina Amuhi; University Librarian, Dr. Oladimeji Yemi-Peters, amongst others.
