By:Tunde Ojerinola 

Often referred to as the Fourth Estate, the press, both locally, nationally and internationally, plays a vital role in ensuring accountability and safeguarding the welfare of the people. At the University of Ibadan, this journalistic role is played by the Union of Campus journalists, UI.

At the University of Ibadan, some campus journalists have taken on the responsibility of being the voice of the students through their commitment to solution-oriented journalism. Some, due to the Journalistic experiences acquired while  on campus, have already begun making waves at the mainstream media. Among these outstanding journalists is Akanni Oluwasegun Michael, a 300-level student of Communication and Language Arts, UCJ Politics Editor, and Editor-in-Chief of his departmental Press, CLA.

Akanni’s journey into campus journalism began in his first year. From covering the Students’ Union election alongside journalists like Tijani Abdulkabeer to being recommended for the UCJ Editorial Board, Akanni highlighted how campus campus journalism has opened many doors for me,  including UCJ scholarship, Youth Digest Campus Journalism Award, as well as a  freelancing job, which fetches him income.

Despite the aforementioned benefits, Akanni acknowledged that the journalistic path has not been easy. Balancing academics with journalistic duties, he said, has been a constant struggle, especially when assignments and lectures clash with press responsibilities.

He said, ”Campus journalism has been very challenging. It has to do with time. When it comes to time management, it is very challenging because there are times you have to cover events that clash with your class, times you have to meet up with deadlines while also trying to submit school assignments.”

Like many journalists at the mainstream, Akanni has faced Institutional victimisation and harassment from both student leaders and authorities.

“Another area is the issue of victimisation and oppression from the student leaders, the student community, and the school authority. During the last Students’ Union Inauguration, the current President of UCJ, Mr. Olanshile Ogunrinu, and I were victimised. I was pinned to the wall and profiled at the security post. Mr. Shile’s phone was hacked, and my phone was seized. So, the victimisation from the school management has been a very big challenge for campus journalists. There are times you write stories and the school authority will ask you to pull it down, serve you SDC letter, victimise you with queries and so on to put fear in us. Press men on campus are really being victimized,” Akanni explained.

Despite these challenges, Akanni told IndyPress that he is  undeterred, asserting that campus journalism is integral to fostering accountability within the university while charging fellow student journalists to understand the relevance of their work and also prioritise their well-being when overwhelmed.

Disclosing the journalists he looked up to in the space of campus journalism, he said , “I have so many role models in campus journalism, I have Aduwo, Olanshile, Tijani (the former Editor-in-chief of UCJ), Adebayo Abdulrahman (former Editor-in-chief of UCJ), Joshua Fagbemi (former General Secretary of the UCJ), and Hamad Sawe (Uthman Dan Fodio University). In the mainstream, I have Fisayo Soyombo, Daniel Chukwu and so on. ”

Looking ahead, Akanni confirmed to IndyPress his intention of practising journalism after his undergraduate graduation.

Another campus journalist, Oluwafunmilayo Oludare, a 500-level Law student and the current Editor-in-Chief of Queen Elizabeth II Hall and Law Press Organizations began began her journalistic journey in 200 level with the Law Press, where she progressed from a regular member to treasurer, book/movie editor, and later managing editor in 400 level before becoming the Editor-in-Chief of the Press.

Speaking on why she joined the Press, Tife said, “I joined the Press because I didn’t want to do only academics. I’m not the best in my class but, I’m easily one of the best. I thought about going after something else when I saw that my 100l CGPA was very good. So far, I’ve been able to maintain my CGPA without the Press being affected. So, I chose the Press. Along the way, things got more serious and here I am today”

As a campus journalist, Oludare has enjoyed numerous opportunities, including referrals, job offers, and meaningful connections with like-minded individuals.  Her writing skills, she said, significantly improved through the platform the campus press provided, offering her the space and support to grow professionally.

”Campus Journalism has fetched me a lot of opportunities. When I joined the press, I could write well because I always had it in me to write. However, the Press gave me leverage and even a platform to showcase my skills. I have gotten referrals and job offers. I have met people of like minds and I must confess, the press is a place to be,” she added.

Although the demands of campus journalism are high, Oludare believes her love for the craft has kept her going.”Yes, campus Journalism is demanding and I won’t say I’ve been managing it well because I’m so good at time management. I’d say I’ve been managing it well because I have come to love journalism so much that I take it as seriously as I take my academics. Let me give you a hint: I take my academics very seriously. So you can guess how much journalism means to me. Ever since, the love has kept me going,” she told IndyPress.

Speaking on the misconception some students have about the Press, she explained, “There are lots of misconceptions. In fact, hundreds of them. The most prevalent one is the press ‘witch hunts’. I think one way to eradicate that notion is to persist in telling the stories that matter. It’s fine for the press to be demonised, as long as they’re doing the right thing. I believe that, one day, people will eventually see that the press is a necessary evil for a society full of greater evils.”

Funmilayo further encouraged fellow campus journalists to remain committed, compassionate, and fearless in exposing societal ills. As for the future, while she has considered a career in journalism, she admits her path may still be influenced by her parents’ desire for her to fully pursue Law.

Another voice of the students, John Eriomala, a Medical student and campus journalist, has paid his due  in campus journalism, rising from a budding writer to becoming an outstanding, award-winning journalists

Eriomala’s foray into journalism began with the UIMSA Preliminary Press. At the time, UIMSA operated a three-tier press system, allowing him to join the Preliminary arm as a freshman. From there, he moved on to the IndyPress during his second year, where his passion for arts and entertainment journalism found full expression.

Within the UIMSA Press, he held several roles before emerging as the Editor-in-Chief, a position, he said, demanded significant responsibility and leadership.

Beyond campus, through connections with fellow journalists and mentors, John has gained access to fellowships, impactful programmes, and even freelance gigs. His first major freelancing gig came through a recommendation from the Former Deputy Editor-in-Chief of IndyPress, Precious Akinmoloye, and this opened doors to more opportunities. Notably, his story, “When Darkness Fell on UCH Ibadan”, published in The Republic, was inspired by the trail of past campus journalists and the high standards they set.

Despite these accomplishments, campus journalism, for John, hasn’t been without challenges. Balancing journalism with the academic responsibilities as a medical student, has not come on a platter of gold. He, however, admits that while he is not a perfect example of balance, he has found a way to make things work through sheer commitment and passion. Taking on leadership roles, editing stories, monitoring news, and conducting investigations, he said, have been the sacrifice he has had to pay in campus journalism.

Addressing the misconception about campus journalism at UI, John said, “A lot of people think that campus journalists just put out releases, we do a lot more than that. A lot of people think we should just be mouthpieces for the students’ leaders. They think all we chase are controversial stories. We have tried to curb the misconceptions by trying to engage students in interviews for news stories, feature stories. Unfortunately, in recent years, we’ve noticed that the student community shrinks when they see certain stories that have to do with accountability. We’re at a point where there’s not much we can do to curb misconceptions, we just have to continue to make sure the stories we publish are of standard quality.”

While he acknowledged increase in content output, he noted that many stories lack depth, proper structure, and originality especially in the entertainment genre, which is his forte.

He emphasized the need to prioritize quality over quantity, urging writers to focus on storytelling that delivers insight and value to readers. He acknowledged that while some platforms continue to do excellent work, overall standards must improve for campus journalism to maintain relevance and impact.

Inspired by several culture and entertainment writers in Nigeria, Eriomala draws motivation from those who he believes blend journalism with other professional pursuits. Among his role models is Dami Ajayi, a medical doctor. Just like Akanni noted, Eriomala told IndyPress that he would pursue mainstream journalism even after completing his medical studies, believing the two professions can complement each other.

“My Roles Models Are Those in Business of Chasing Stories That Matter”- Oluwatayo Ogundare, AFAS Editor-in-Chief 

Another campus journalist, Ogundare Oluwatayo, a final-year student of the Department of Communication and Language Arts and Editor-in-chief of AFAS Press, in an interview with IndyPress, shared his journey as a campus journalist.

According to Ogundare, campus journalism has widened his perspective, providing him the platform for professional development.

“Jounalism is demanding, just like I said earlier, journalism to me is all about consciousness. You need to be aware of everything happening around you. If you are not a conscious-minded human being, you are not a journalist, because it takes consciousness for you to read deep meaning to things. It takes consciousness for you to know that what the Students’ President does or what the SRC is indulging in at the moment is not right. It takes consciousness for you to read the constitution, to attend the Congress, and to even attend your lectures as a student,” Ogundare told IndyPress.

Speaking on the challenges attached to campus journalism, he added, “Journalism is challenging on its own. There are students who are not even concerned with what is going on campus. But with consciousness, you distinguish yourself from others. When people see the way you talk, reason issues, evaluate and assess matters, they start seeing something different in you and that will be a challenge to me. Also, reading is a challenge because you can’t write a deep report without reading. You have to read different reports and present your new argument so that your story can catch attention. But since I love to read and write, I have been able to cope.”

Balancing academics with journalistic responsibilities,however, has not been easy for Tayo. “Also, as a student, my primary assignment is to study and pass with flying colours. But being a campus journalist, the Editor-in-chief of one of the best press organisations on campus, and a final-year student of CLA has never been easy. Campus journalism actually took away my zeal for academics, it got to a point that all I focused on was just editing, getting members to write and look inwards for topics to write about, while also encouraging them.”

Ogundare says his role models are journalists who remain committed to telling impactful stories and holding leadership accountable.

“My role models are those who are still in the business of chasing stories that matter, those who are still in the business of writing stories that impact the society, writing stories that reflect the plights of students. My role models are those who are still in the business of looking out for ordinary members, those who are still in the business of checking the activities of leaders on campus and in Nigeria in general. My role models are those who still hold journalism as a tool for both public and environmental change,” Tayo noted.

On the misconceptions surrounding campus journalism, he explained, “From what I have seen and experienced so far, there is a solid misconception against campus journalism and people always think that what campus journalism stands for is to paint people in bad image, to write bad things about them, to defame their character, and lots of other misconceptions about the press that are not even logical.”

“I don’t think there is any other way we can curb misconceptions about the press than what we have been doing so far. We just need to keep publishing factual and unbiased reports as we have been doing. And whoever wants to remain adamant in painting the press in a bad image will see, in the long run, that the press is not what they think it is,” he added.

Charging other campus journalists, Tayo advised, “Please and please, let’s be conscious. It is because we are not conscious that we are not seeing articles out there. I know for a fact that we have over 500 journalists on campus. Imagine if one campus journalist turns in one story per week, things will change. My charge to all campus journalists is to be conscious. Uphold integrity, honesty and accountability.

He further noted that he would continue journalism after graduation “Surely, I intend to continue practicing journalism after graduation. I know the road is not smooth but I am ready for anything that is coming when it comes to journalism.

Another campus journalist, Peter Sonaike, the Editor-in-Chief of IndyPress, shared his journey into campus journalism.

Peter Sonaike became a campus journalist in 2023 when he joined IndyPress. Starting with news writing before transitioning to features, Peter’s consistency and quality of work soon saw him promoted to Feature Editor, and later Editor-in-chief. Speaking to IndyPress, Peter noted that his journalistic journey has come with its own share of sacrifice and victimization for holding power to account.

When asked about his role models in journalism, he mentioned, “I have three role models in journalism. Two are broadcast journalists, while the other is a print journalist. The broadcast journalists are Edmund Obilo of Splash FM, and Isaac Brown of Fresh FM. These are the broadcast journalists I did follow even before getting admitted to UI. I found them their programmes very enlightening and instructive as  they  exposed me to the positive change that journalism is capable of making. The print journalist, Fisayo Soyombo, is also my role model because he does more of investigative journalism. I admire his undeterred resilience in holding power to account ”

Peter further noted that striking a balance between his journalistic and academic endeavors hasn’t been easy.

Peter further mentioned that he likes reporting stories that matter. “ As for me, when I love telling stories that matter. I derive pleasure from the impact any of my stories make on the lives of the student community,” he added.