The Large Lecture Theatre of the Faculty of the Social Sciences at the University of Ibadan (UI) came alive on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, as students, scholars, media practitioners and public intellectuals gathered for a high-level dialogue on the intricate relationship between the media and the Nigerian state.
With the theme, “From Newsroom to Aso Rock: Inside Media-State Relations in Nigeria,” the event was organised as a practical component of POS 353 – Media and the State, a course offered in the Department of Political Science and taught by Dr Kingsley Ogunne. More than a routine academic gathering, the dialogue became a reflective conversation on governance, democratic accountability, political communication and the changing realities of journalism in the digital era.
At the centre of the event was former Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari, Femi Adesina, whose career trajectory from the newsroom to the presidency formed a fitting backdrop to the discussion. Accompanied by his wife, Mrs Nike Adesina, the veteran journalist and public communicator shared reflections drawn from decades of experience in both journalism and government communication.
Adesina’s professional journey remains one of the most recognisable in Nigerian media history. He was the founding editor of Daily Sun, later becoming Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of The Sun Newspapers, and also served as President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors. His presence at the dialogue provided students with a rare opportunity to engage directly with a figure who has operated at the highest levels of both journalism and state communication.
Declaring the dialogue open, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode Adebowale, reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to producing graduates capable of engaging critically with contemporary governance challenges beyond the classroom.
Represented by the Head of the Department of Political Science, Prof. Dhikru Adewale Yagboyaju, the Vice-Chancellor described the dialogue series as consistent with the university’s long-standing tradition of intellectual leadership and public engagement.
According to him, democracy can only thrive when there is both a strong and independent media and an accountable, responsive government operating within a framework of mutual respect and shared commitment to the public good.
The Guest Speaker presented an engaging lecture on his life as a journalist and his journey to the corridors of power. He revealed how he was called to take over the role of Special Adviser to the President which he never lobbied for. He spoke on the importance of having a good reputation, public service, ethics and professionalism. Speaking directly to students, he argued that excellence remains the surest path to recognition in public life.
Beyond professional competence, Adesina emphasised the importance of integrity and reputation, describing credibility as a long-term asset that must be deliberately built and carefully protected. He urged students to anchor their careers on honesty, discipline and ethical conduct, warning that public trust, once lost, is difficult to regain.
He also encouraged intellectual flexibility and openness, particularly for those working within the media and governance sectors where public opinions and policy decisions often shape national discourse.
Throughout the event, the atmosphere inside the lecture theatre reflected a rare blend of academic seriousness and public engagement. Students actively participated in the dialogue session, asking questions that touched on media ethics, statecraft, political image-making, press freedom and the future of journalism in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
The interaction between students and speakers transformed the programme from a conventional lecture into a practical civic learning experience. Rather than merely discussing theories of media-state relations, participants confronted the realities, contradictions and ethical dilemmas that shape communication within democratic societies.
Adding colour and cultural depth to the programme were dramatic and cultural performances by students of the Department of Theatre Arts, spoken word presentations and an engaging question-and-answer session with the guest speaker. These performances created moments of reflection and entertainment while reinforcing the broader themes of communication, identity and democratic expression.
The event also drew an impressive audience of distinguished academics and public intellectuals, including Dean of the Faculty of the Social Sciences, Professor Ben Ehigie; Deputy Director (Administration), UI Distance Learning Centre, Professor Olubukola S. Adesina; Emeritus Professor John Ayoade; Professor Victor Isumonah; Professor Emmanuel Aiyede; Professor Olajide Akanji; Dr E. U. Idachaba; Dr Stephen Lafenwa; Patrick Adewunmi; Seliat Ogunbiyi; Head of the Department of History, Professor Monsuru Muritala; Professor Charles Olutayo Adesina (who joined virtually); Newsmen, among other dignitaries.
By the close of the programme, one message had emerged clearly: the future of Nigeria’s democracy depends not only on political institutions and electoral processes, but also on the ethical quality of communication between the media, the government and the citizens they both serve.
For the students who filled the lecture theatre, the dialogue offered more than academic instruction. It provided a practical encounter with the realities of public communication and democratic responsibility – a reminder that in an age saturated with information, credibility, integrity and critical thinking remain indispensable virtues.
