For Dr. Waheed Ogunjobi, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Mass Communication from Crescent University was more than an academic milestone; it was the foundation that eased his transition into postgraduate research and ultimately helped him earn a PhD from Lagos State University (LASU).
Ogunjobi, who was among three graduates of Crescent University’s Department of Mass Communication to bag doctoral degrees at LASU’s 29th and 30th combined convocation, said the university’s blend of theory, practical training and scholarly exposure prepared him for the demands of advanced academic research.
Looking back, Ogunjobi described his decision to return to university for a B.Sc. nearly 13 years after obtaining his Higher National Diploma (HND) as a turning point in his career.
“For me, pursuing a B.Sc. in Mass Communication at Crescent University was a game-changer in my career,” he said.
He explained that he had initially been reluctant to return to university, but eventually recognised the need to adapt to changes in the profession.
“I had initially lived in denial about needing a degree. I must emphasise here that most often than not, when we need to embrace changes, we live in denial. It is better to accept the reality of the time and move with the trend and not to allow the trend subsume you or be caught napping,” Ogunjobi said.
His return to the classroom exposed him to developments in Mass Communication that had emerged since his HND years. According to him, the new courses introduced into the curriculum gave him the intellectual grounding he later relied on during his master’s and doctoral studies.
He said the preparation became particularly evident during his master’s programme at the University of Lagos, where learning was largely seminar-based.
“At the Master’s level in the University of Lagos, the programme was seminar-based, and Crescent had already prepared me for that style of engagement,” he said.
By the time he commenced his PhD at LASU, Ogunjobi said, the process felt like a continuation of an academic journey for which Crescent had already laid the groundwork.
“I already understood academic writing, critical analysis, and scholarly publication. Crescent University ensured I was trained as an academic scholar even before my PhD,” he said.
He also credited the university’s support for giving him early experience in academic publishing. According to him, both his undergraduate project and master’s dissertation were published with the support of the department and its journals.
“You know most universities require at least two papers from your thesis for graduation. Having gone through the process of turning a long essay into a coherent and meaningful thesis early, I found the PhD journey much smoother,” he added.
The fact that three graduates of the same Mass Communication department earned PhDs at the same LASU convocation, Ogunjobi said, provides another indication of the academic culture fostered at Crescent University.
“You can say that again! Crescent University graduates have consistently excelled in universities across Nigeria and abroad. The list is almost inexhaustible,” he said.
Ogunjobi noted that his own academic trajectory, including his performance at the University of Lagos, made his doctoral achievement consistent with the standards he encountered at Crescent.
“In my set, I was among the few who made a PhD grade at UNILAG, and graduating in flying colours at the 29th and 30th combined convocation of Lagos State University was therefore not a surprise to those who know the Crescent standard,” he said.
Beyond conventional classroom instruction, Ogunjobi said Crescent’s emphasis on practical training and entrepreneurship was crucial to his development.
“Crescent University offers a practical blend that goes beyond the classroom learning. Students are not just trained to write news and feature stories. The department exposes them to entrepreneurship early through its retinue of publications that serve as veritable training grounds,” he said.
“That mix of theory, practice, and enterprise is what sets Crescent apart,” he added.
Ogunjobi’s doctoral research examined newspaper framing of the Rural Grazing Area (RUGA) policy in Nigeria, focusing on the role of the media in shaping public perceptions of public policy.
He said the research identified gaps in policy communication while highlighting the implications of media framing for national development.
“My findings revealed significant gaps in policy communication and highlighted the media’s role in national development. The study emphasises the need for data-driven journalism and conflict-sensitive reporting,” he said.
He further stressed the broader development implications of responsible media practice.
“Effective communication is key to development, and the media has a significant role to play in this process. My research underscores the importance of media framing in shaping public perception and influencing policy formulation and outcomes,” Ogunjobi said.
For current students aspiring to pursue advanced academic careers, Ogunjobi’s advice is straightforward: learn from those who came before them, but aim to go beyond their achievements.
“Take a cue from those who came before you, and not only meet the standards that have been set, but surpass them,” he said.
He also urged students to take advantage of the academic resources and opportunities available within the university.
“The facilities are there. The array of scholars is there,” Ogunjobi said, pointing to the institution’s growing capacity for postgraduate education.
He noted that Crescent University’s recent production of its first set of PhD graduands was evidence of the institution’s expanding role in developing scholars within its own academic environment.
“The university recently produced its first set of PhD graduands. That shows Crescent is not just keeping pace elsewhere, it is also building capacity at home. Charity, indeed, has begun at home,” he said.
