Students of the Faculty of Mass Communication and Media Studies at the Federal University, Oye Ekiti (FUOYE) have raised serious concerns over what they describe as an alarming decline in the quality of education they are receiving. Frustrated by inconsistent lectures and inadequate academic engagement from their lecturers, final-year students have spoken out about their struggles.
As a correspondent for The Nigeria Education News, I was present on the FUOYE campus on Saturday to witness firsthand the frustrations of these students. Engaging directly with final-year students, I listened to their grievances and observed the academic conditions they described.
A student, Seunfunmi, expressed her frustration, questioning the academic structure in place. “I don’t understand the system of education in Nigeria anymore. We are here for a lecture that was supposed to have started at the beginning of the semester, yet the lecturer has been absent for months. Now, out of nowhere, he schedules a class on a Saturday to cover everything at once. How does that make any sense?” she lamented.
Another final-year student, who identified himself as KayC, shared his discontent with the arbitrary nature of the academic calendar. “The lecturers here do whatever they like. We have not been taught anything in this particular course, yet we are expected to sit for an examination on it. The only thing they do is send us 50-page documents and expect us to teach ourselves. How do they expect us to excel in this profession with such an approach?” he questioned.
Many students said they feel abandoned and ill-prepared for the media industry. They noted that lecturers frequently cancel scheduled classes without explanations, only to reschedule them at inconvenient times. This, they say, has left them grappling with anxiety about their future in the profession.
While the students are eager to see changes, they fear the repercussions of speaking out. Tolani, another final-year student, disclosed the risks associated with exposing these issues. “We want to graduate in peace. The school is always right, and any student who openly challenges them could be at risk of rustication. That is why most of us choose to remain silent,” she said.
During my visit, I also observed the lack of engagement between lecturers and students. The absence of a structured academic calendar was evident, with students expressing concerns over last-minute lecture schedules and an overwhelming reliance on self-study materials.
A senior student noted that while Mass Communication is meant to be a practical and interactive field, their experiences at FUOYE have been the opposite. “We are supposed to have hands-on training, media workshops, and professional exposure. Instead, we are left to read theory without guidance,” he explained.
The discontent among students is not limited to one particular course or lecturer; rather, it appears to be a systemic issue within the faculty. Some students suggested that the administration must take urgent action to address the concerns before it affects the reputation of the university.
Efforts to reach faculty authorities for comments were unsuccessful. However, a source within the university hinted that students are not the only ones frustrated. “Some lecturers themselves are unhappy with the situation, but their hands are tied due to certain administrative constraints,” the source revealed.
For now, students remain in limbo, uncertain about how to navigate their final year under these conditions. While some have opted for external internships and practical experiences outside the school system, others worry about the long-term impact on their academic credentials.
As exams approach, many students are left with no choice but to study independently, hoping for leniency in grading. “We just want to graduate without trouble. We hope the school authorities realize the need for immediate intervention,” a student stated.
FUOYE students have called for urgent reforms, seeking better accountability from lecturers and a structured academic timetable that prioritizes their learning. The question remains whether the university management will heed their voices and initiate meaningful change.
For now, the students of Mass Communication and Media Studies at FUOYE continue to hope for a system that truly prepares them for the realities of the media industry.
