Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, vice-chancellor of the University of Lagos (Unilag), has announced that Unilag TV will launch in February, reports Gabriella Opara.
Recently granted a licence by Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari, Unilag TV will be the first campus-based television channel in Nigeria. It will focus on research-oriented education and ease communication within and outside the university community.
Professor Ogundipe said: “The approval to operate a television station will improve our branding; we are bringing in professionals to help kick-start the station.”
According to the vice-chancellor, Unilag competed against 19 universities to win a US$5m grant from the World Bank in order to supply Unilag TV with a world-class studio, equipment and other gadgets. He also said the university has paid N10m to have its station licensed.
Professor Ogundipe also expressed his gratitude to the former vice-chancellor, Professor Rahamon Bello, and Professor Ralf Akinfeleye of the Department of Mass Communication for their work in pursuing the dream of getting a TV station for the university.
“It is now on record that the present administration signed the first campus TV licence and we remain deeply grateful to the president. The university is a brand. We want the university to be the research hub in Africa, and we are working towards being among the best three in the entire continent,” the vice-chancellor said.
Dr Olubunmi Ajibade, senior lecturer in the communication department, said: “We train people for the industry, so we are in the best position to attract the best hands.”
Unilag TV will air on MultiChoice-owned DSTV, one of Nigeria’s leading pay TV platforms, ensuring that everyone within and outside the country has access to the channel.
tagged in: DSTV, Muhammadu Buhari, Rahamon Bello, Ralf Akinfeleye, Unilag, Unilag TV, University of Lagos