Benue State University, Makurdi

The department of Journalism and Media Studies is one of the six departments carved out of the former department of Mass communication in the faculty of communication and Media Studies Benue State University, Makurdi. This development followed the unbundling of mass communication programms by the National Universities Commission in 2020.

Background
The former department of Mass communication was established in 1996, and it has since then been a hub for training and research in Mass communication. However, with the NUC's directive to unbundle mass communication programmes, the university senate approved the creation of six separate departments: Journalism and Media Studies, public relations, Advertising, Broadcasting, Development communication and Strategy communication.

Since its inception, the department of Journalism and Media Studies has faced several challenges, including:

1. Infrastructure
2. Curriculum development
3. Manpower

a. Resources verification. The department has successfully undergone resources verification by the national universities commission.

b. Journal. The department has started the process of establishing a departmental peer review journal to encourage research in the department.

The department has outlined several plans for future, including:

a. Collaborations and Partnership. The department plans to establish collaborations and Partnership with national and international institutions to provide opportunities for students' exchange programs, joint research projects and faculty development.

b. Research and innovation. The department plans to establish a research and innovation unit to promote cutting - edge research and innovation in journalism and Media Studies.

c. Staff recruitment. The department has requested the university management to employ more academic staff and indeed post the department with supportive staff.