Wale Ojo-Lanre Challenges ACSPN And FUOYE To Champion Media Entrepreneurship In Higher Education

The Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN), in partnership with the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), held a landmark Empowerment Series today at the Prof. Fashina Event Centre, spotlighting the urgent need to integrate media entrepreneurship into Nigeria’s academic and professional landscapes.

Delivering the keynote address was Ambassador Wale Ojo-Lanre, Esq., Director General of the Ekiti State Bureau of Tourism Development, who spoke on the theme: “Media Entrepreneurship: Harnessing Communication for Entrepreneurial Growth in the Media Sector.”

The event brought together prominent voices in media and academia, including Comrade Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director of the International Press Centre; Biodun Oyeleye, Secretary of ACSPN; and Prof. Chika E. Asogwa, Dean of the Faculty, who welcomed guests to the gathering. Prof. Rotimi Olatunji, President of ACSPN, provided a contextual backdrop for the discussions, while the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olubunmi Shittu, formally declared the event open, commending the faculty’s leadership for positioning FUOYE as a hub of progressive communication scholarship.

In a dynamic and thought-provoking address, Amb. Ojo-Lanre issued a bold challenge to both ACSPN and FUOYE: embed media entrepreneurship as a core component of communication studies. He emphasized that media entrepreneurship is not a futuristic idea but a current, viable pathway for national development and youth empowerment.

“Media entrepreneurship is no longer a distant concept; it is an opportunity that permeates our daily lives,” he asserted. “The future belongs to those who use communication not just to inform and entertain, but to educate, influence, mobilize—and importantly—monetize.”

Ojo-Lanre outlined strategic recommendations for transforming communication education. He called for the introduction of practical courses in media business, digital innovation, and entrepreneurial leadership. He also proposed the establishment of media labs, incubators, and student-run enterprises, supported by internships and mentorship programs that bridge the gap between academia and industry.

“Let’s equip students not only to consume content but to create it—ethically, innovatively, and commercially,” he emphasized. “We must teach them to build their own brands, diversify income streams, and lead the future of African media.”

The keynote concluded with a powerful call to action, urging institutions and stakeholders to move beyond rhetoric and invest in building the next generation of media entrepreneurs.

“The microphone is in your hands. The platform is at your fingertips. The time is now. Speak. Create. Monetize. Transform,” Ojo-Lanre declared to resounding applause.

The Empowerment Series underscored a shared commitment by ACSPN and FUOYE to expand the boundaries of communication education—preparing students not just to participate in the media space, but to lead it.