The 2025 International Campus Journalists Conference (ICJC2025), hosted by the Association of Campus Journalists, Obafemi Awolowo University (ACJOAU), took place on Saturday, May 3rd, at the BOOC Hall, Faculty of Science, OAU. Coinciding with the celebration of World Press Freedom Day, the event featured a keynote address by Mr. Femi Adesina, OON, former Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity.
Delivering his keynote speech, Adesina provided an incisive examination of the challenges facing journalism in Nigeria and other developing countries. He asserted that achieving true editorial freedom has become increasingly difficult due to government interference across many sectors, including the media.
“The media should play the role of a watchdog,” he said, “but in many developing nations, the government is now deeply involved in nearly every industry, making independence a tough ideal to uphold.” Adesina called on aspiring journalists to recognize the significance of their role, even at the campus level, and urged them to develop patience as they pursue media careers.
Adesina outlined five critical responsibilities of the media in advancing national development. These include the dissemination of information, advocacy for positive change, empowerment of communities, promotion of accountability and transparency, and support for achieving societal development goals.
He encouraged young journalists to take advantage of both traditional and modern media, including social media, to influence policies and shape public discourse. He emphasized the importance of using technology for research, fact-checking, and broadening public engagement.
While noting the benefits of digital tools, Adesina cautioned against sensationalism and the race for virality. He urged journalists to prioritize impactful reporting that serves society rather than chasing fleeting online trends. “Avoid sensationalism,” he said. “Focus on stories that drive meaningful change.”
Mr. Adesina’s message was particularly directed at campus journalists, whom he described as being in a formative stage of their careers. He reminded them that their current efforts in student media are laying the groundwork for professional integrity and influence in the future.
He further advised participants to take their work seriously, even as students. “As campus journalists, understand what you are doing. Journalism is not just a club activity—it is a mission,” he said. He added that resilience and clarity of purpose are essential qualities for anyone aiming to thrive in the media space.
The Nigeria Education News correspondent was present at the conference and observed that Adesina’s address resonated strongly with attendees, who responded with attentive silence and sustained applause. Many participants said his remarks offered both practical guidance and ideological clarity at a time when the credibility of the press is under scrutiny.
The 2025 ICJC served as a timely reminder of the challenges confronting journalism, and through voices like Adesina’s, it reinforced the enduring relevance of integrity, accuracy, and social impact in the profession.
