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higher learning in Nigeria because of the prohibitive cost of purchase, installa-
tion, maintenance, as well as paucity of technical personnel.
Keywords: technology model, effective communication, education,
campus radio, information
Introduction
Education retains its pride of place as a socializing activity in all socie-
ties today. The central issue in education is teaching; the central outcome is
learning and change in behaviour. These two can only take place as intended in
a framework of communication where communication implies flow of ideas,
information or messages from one party - the source which custodies the mate-
rial – to another party, the receiver which is the target or the beneficiary of the
material.
It is not sufficient to initiate information or ideas; it is sufficient and
enough when the target audience or receiver understands and makes good use
of what is offered. This is reflective communication with a bent towards devel-
opment communication which justifies the definition of communication by
United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund1) as
461
cognitive ability can understand and use materials offered. This is where tech-
nology for proper encoding comes in; and the communication should reach the
user where needed and in good quality.
Broadcasting is generally seen from two perspectives or models – public
and private or commercial where emphasis is on whether the operational modus
aims at profit-making or it is a public service exclusively. However, even public
radio station operators particularly in developing countries know that sustaina-
bility is a critical issue and such borders on funding for maintenance of facilities,
qualified personnel, and quality programmes as well as constantly updating the
technology of operations where technology refers to equipment and methods.
Thus, public broadcasting outfits must at least break-even, which implies oper-
ating along business lines. Community radio conceptualization is like a midway
between these two and could be for-profit or not-for-profit.
This paper discusses the place of communication with focus on institu-
tions of higher learning in Nigeria and presents a technology model for effective
communication which can be regarded as the theoretical framework for the con-
cept and operation of campus radios. It reviews the operation of the radio in
Nigeria as a broadcasting medium conceived at inception by government to
meet the need for public enlightenment. It considers campus radios as commu-
nity radios involved in specialized broadcasting to meet the needs of institutio ns
that have them. Radio stations provide information and entertainment, and these
are very important in educational institutions. The paper also reviews some of
the bottlenecks to the use of radio but submits that the Campus Radio concept
needs attention and assistance by donor agencies within and outside Nigeria.
463
Table 1. Technological usage in Asia and Africa
464
designation changed again to Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation in 1957 follow-
ing further reorganization. New stations were established at Port Harcourt and
Calabar, both in South-South Nigeria.
Radio broadcasting for education sector commenced in 1962 following
assistance from the Ford Foundation of the United States of America (USA)
along with the BBC. A National School Broadcasting Service was established,
with lessons being broadcast to primary, secondary schools, and teacher training
colleges. The unit was based at Ibadan in the Western Region.
The NBC and Broadcasting Corporation of Northern Nigeria were
merged in 1978 to form the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN)
which at present oversees 37 FM/AM/SW stations throughout the country oper-
ating through Zonal offices as Radio Nigeria. The external service tagged Voice
of Nigeria (VON) took off in 1961 broadcasting to West Africa. It is said to
reach about 100 million people using 15 languages through its four national sta-
tions at Enugu, Ibadan, Kaduna (former administrative headquarters of the three
old Regions in Nigeria) and Abuja.
Community radio broadcasting in Nigeria appears to have a recent his-
tory. Up until 2015, radio had been a popular “mass” broadcasting medium with
the aim of both public and private operators being to reach large audiences. The
opening of a “community” radio station at Kutugi, Niger State on 29th Septem-
ber 2015 by the World Bank is regarded as marking the coming of the quintes-
sential community radio concept in Nigeria. It aimed at public enlightenme nt
with respect to ‘Fadama’ agricultural practice. Several stations with the aim of
presenting programmes with large local content relevant to specific locations
have since sprung up. Campus radios fall into this model of radio broadcasting.
467
Radio in education
Radio is very effective as an educational medium because it can span
great distances and therefore has a wide coverage; is relatively low cost and thus
available to more students some of whom may be poor; and most do not require
use of electricity and are thus of considerable importance in developing coun-
tries where electricity supply is often severely limited. Duby (1990) submits that
“No other medium has the educational power of stimulating and developing ab-
stract thinking of its audience and enriching and activating the listeners’ imagi-
nation … It is non-visual, functions in real time, and its codes are auditory.”
This last point implies that it is only the radio that is completely accessible even
to persons with sight disability. Although they can hear a television broadcast
but hearing alone would not make it complete; they may even feel worse, know-
ing that they are missing something due to no fault of theirs.
Radio as a medium for teaching can be traced to 1921 when the Latter
Day Saints’ University in Salt Lake City, United States of America was granted
an educational broadcast licence by the Federal Government. India, which is a
developing country, had an early beginning in educational broadcasting when it
commenced the service by 1928 as noted by Das.8) Ullah & Khan (2017) note
that frequency modulated (FM) radio has been widely used in Pakistan in formal
and informal education following their study in the Peshawar District of Khyber
Pakhtunhwa Province. Educational broadcasting has grown very fast in Asia
and Africa. Berman (2008) opines that developed countries can learn from de-
veloping countries on use of radio in education or distance learning. He however
states that compared with Asia, Africa is still at the “rudimentary stage of de-
velopment in their educational practices, policies, and uses of educational tech-
nologies.”
Despite the position above, Gunner et al. (2011) state that radio is re-
garded as “Africa’s medium with the ability to transcend barriers to access, fa-
cilitate political debate, and shape identities.” Thus, Da Costa (2012) indicates
468
that of 11 countries of Africa surveyed by the United Nations Educational, Sci-
entific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2011, local commercial radio
grew by an average of 360% between 2000 and 2006 and community radio by
1,386% during the same period. Educational institution-based radio stations are
regarded as community radios.
There are unique and advantageous roles of radio in education. Das8)
observes that “radio speaks to an individual, so also to millions at a time …
hence the individual can think the broadcast is meant for him … the student
takes the broadcast as very intimate to him.” This enhances learning and absorp-
tion of materials. Das8) also indicates other advantages of radio in education to
include that they are cheap to buy and to maintain and are portable so that they
can moved from place to place by learners. These cannot be said of televis io n
sets which are expensive to purchase, costly to maintain and run (require elec-
tricity), and most cannot be moved around.
Studies by Tripp & Roby (1996) in the United Kingdom as cited by Vyas
et al. (2002) show that radio has a greater value for weak students as a supple-
mentary leaning tool than other tools. Reports for the Agency for Internatio na l
Development by Tripp & Roby as cited by Vyas et al. (2002) indicate that radio
is more cost-effective and results in a greater learning effect size than textbooks
or teacher education. Where there is no teacher or qualified person, radio can
suffice. Vyas et al. (2002) however list the limitations of radio to include: (i)
interaction is limited; (ii) instruction is uninterruptible and not reviewable
(which means learners cannot stop a lecture to ask questions or request for clar-
ification); (iii) pace of instruction is fixed for all students (implies that radio is
not sensitive to the plight of slow learners despite an earlier position that radio
is good for weak students); (iv) time for reflection on content is minimal; (v)
note-taking is difficult (implies that after-lesson self-study is limited). (vi) feed-
back and clarification are generally unavailable (this is the subject of and ra-
tionale for the next section of this paper).
469
Technology model for communication
There are dozens of models of communication, from the seminal and
path-breaking model by C.E. Shanon in 1948, to the Shanon-Weaver model and
the Berto SMCR model among others. The essential features include a source
of communication, the message, the channel, and the receiver. Within these are
the activities or processes which make the communication intelligible or other-
wise, including the encoding, the influence of noise, and the role of technology
by way of the know-how and materials cum equipment.
Of crucial significance is the feedback from the receiver to the sender.
The loop is essentially technology-based. It is critical in education because it is
the immediate means of ascertaining long before summation assessment, that
information passed has achieved the goal intended. In teaching practice exer-
cises reactions from the taught are given high scores in assessment of student-
teachers. A technology-dominated model of communication suitable for a
school setting with the radio in mind as the channel is in Fig, 1.
470
This model is a modification of the Shanon-Weaver model of communi-
cation. The highlights are as follows: (i) Sender – this is the source of infor-
mation. It could be a teacher or an institution that makes use of radio for teaching
purposes; (ii) Encoding – the information such as lecture material is properly
encoded to take care of the syllabus, the contexts, the cognitive level of the target
audience, and the technology available at the level of encoding, the channel, and
the receiver. For instance, a script for the screen would not be appropriate for a
radio facility and for students who have no access to functional television in-
cluding source of power. Radio sets use battery and for all students at the tertiary
level, their mobile telephones have FM reception capability; (iii) The Channel
– the channel is the radio in our context. Institutions of higher learning are ex-
pected to own radio broadcasting facilities on-campus. In Nigeria, many of them
have been assisted by Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to establish
radio broadcasting facilities. This Federal agency obtains 2% of profit before
tax of incorporated companies, pool such monies, and share to publicly owned
institutions of higher learning throughout the country; (iv) Receiver – the student
is the destination of information flow. The institution would also include the
libraries and the teachers. The technology used include radio sets or mobile
phones. Proper encoding, good channel, good instruments for receipt and prior
knowledge of codes should ensure that the destination understands, interprets,
and makes use of the information sent. It is expected that the students make use
of what they have received for writing examinations and carrying out assign-
ments. Where the information received is not as expected (incomplete, warped,
incorrect) dissonance is expected and student or students should be in the posi-
tion to ask questions or seek for more information. In radio stations in Nigeria,
phone-in programmes take care of this aspect. The technology needed is the
mobile phone for students while the station has a special desk set to take in
multiple calls; (v) The Source – the source is expected to provide more, or revise
information already sent and the cycle is repeated till the student is satisfied and
planned objective is achieved.
471
The model is different from the Shanon-Weaver model in the aspect of
the loop for feedback. In education, asking questions during lecture and re-
sponses by the teacher are key aspects of the communication process. In as-
sessing student teachers in Faculties of Education in universities and Colleges
of Education, class reaction carries a sizeable score in the teaching practicum.
The model above takes care of the limitations of radio in education as
indicated by Vyas et al. (2002). The feedback loop requires that campus broad-
cast stations have the specialized telecommunications system that can enable
interaction between students and teachers of which the teachers should be in the
studio to take questions. Lesson notes can be prepared in form of modules and
given to students. In Nigeria, the prime distance learning agencies (particular ly
those owned by the government such as National Open University of Nigeria
(NOUN), National Teachers Institute (NTI) always make provision for periodic
one-on-one interaction with teachers to strengthen the written modules and radio
broadcasts.
Recommendation
The advocacy here is for support of international donors for the sourcing,
distribution, installation, and operationalization of radio broadcast facilities
(Campus Radio) in institutions of higher learning across Nigeria to go along
with some spare parts and electricity generators as components. It is known that
owning and running radio stations is over a century old; the first college radio
station began broadcasting on October 14, 1920 from Union College, Schenec-
tady, New York operated by Wendell King, an African-American student at the
school. It is also advocated that the preferred type is the frequency modulatio n
which is very popular in Nigeria particularly for targeted audiences such as rural
communities as it is the case in Senegal as stated by Dia (2002). In Nigeria,
campus radios are regarded by the regulatory agency as community radios.
Given the funding pattern of the institutions, acquisition of such facilities with
472
internally generated revenue is a mirage. There is so much to spend money on,
yet so little trickles into the institutions.
As to whether students have the technology to benefit from such facili-
ties, the answer is an emphatic yes, although there are no statistics to back up
this claim. This is because it is highly unlikely that any student in an institutio n
of higher learning has no mobile phone and most mobile phones have factory
installed FM application.
The number of students at the three tiers of tertiary education in Nigeria
continues to be a subject of ‘guestimate’ for several reasons. In the first instance,
no institution of higher learning in Nigeria can accurately indicate at any point
in time how many students it has, full time, part time, line programmes (degrees,
diplomas, certificates), professional courses, and ad hoc programmes. If this is
true, it is simply impossible to determine the total number of students in institu-
tions of higher learning in Nigeria. The number ranges from as low as 1000 for
new institutions to as high as 60,000 for some ‘first generation’ universities,
Colleges of Education, and Polytechnics.
Since this paper is about institutions of higher learning in Nigeria, it is
necessary to state their number which should indicate the requirement of radio
stations. As at last count (using information from the Joint Admission and Ma-
triculation Board, the agency that is solely authorized to conduct admission ex-
aminations into all institutions of higher learning in Nigeria which also means
the institutions listed by the agency from time to time are the accredited institu-
tions in the country), there are 293 tertiary educational institutions in Nigeria as
at August 2017 distributed as in Table 2.
The total changes frequently as the supervising agencies conclude ap-
proval of new institutions. At one radio station per institution, there should be
293 radio stations in institutions of higher learning across Nigeria. As shown in
Appendix 1, only 44 institutions are listed as at now as those that have radio
stations. This implies that 249 institutions of higher learning in Nigeria do not
have radio broadcasting facilities, yet, all of them need at least one each.
473
Table 2. Number of Tertiary Educational Institutions in Nigeria as
at August 2017
Challenges
There are three possible challenges to the drive for campus radio stations
across Nigeria. The first is the high cost of acquisition of a full complement of
machines, equipment, and tools for effective service delivery. The cost of in-
stallation can also be daunting. This is the reason most of the campus radios in
existence were funded by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).
The second challenge, even for those that have been lucky enough to set
up the stations is the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) which is the
agency of the Federal Government that regulates radio broadcasting in the coun-
try. This agency appears to limit campus radio operations supervised as com-
munity radios because of the requirements for license. The requirements appear
to be so onerous that schools would rather function without radio stations. Those
that attempt to broadcast even as trial runs face prosecution and imprisonme nt
in line with the Act establishing the agency. This challenge is however sur-
mountable with due diligence and patience.
The third bottleneck has to do with availability of spare parts for the
imported systems. Everything about radio broadcasting in Nigeria is imported.
However, the importers do stock spare parts although at high costs. Akashoro et
al. (2013) have studied operations of radio stations in Nigeria; they submit that
“operational sustenance” is a major challenge, and it is influenced by ownership
and advertising patronage. Advertisement ties in with licensing, for, despite the
474
level of equipage, a station is not allowed to seek advertisements if it has not
been licensed. Campus radios are generally owned by institutions of higher
learning in Nigeria. There is the conflict in vision versus operational reality:
they should be not-for-profit, yet the institutions can hardly afford the cost of
maintenance of equipment and certainly, they can hardly afford the cost of pur-
chase of new equipment to catch up with developments in the sub-sector.
Technical manpower both for running and maintenance is also a prob-
lem. This is often managed by way of training and retraining. Where students
are used for broadcasting (particularly in institutions that have departments of
Mass Communications or Communication Studies), constant training becomes
a desideratum because of the high turnover of trained or talented student broad-
casters.
Aside from funding, the most serious problem any campus radio station
faces is that of electricity. It is in fact the most serious development constraint
in developing countries including Nigeria. Micro, small, and medium enter-
prises find that a large chunk of their operational expenses goes for sourcing
electricity. The common feeling in Nigeria where bulk electricity generation and
distribution are entrusted almost entirely to public companies is that the inability
to supply enough quantity is because importers of generators – very powerful
people – work against any government effort at providing stable power to citi-
zens. Any city that enjoys up to twelve hours of electricity a day is regarded as
an exception if not an aberration.
It is thus very important that any assistance to institutions with respect
to purchase of broadcasting equipment must supply a standard generator to en-
able the station to operate optimally. One is not aware of any radio station in
Nigeria that broadcasts for twenty-four hours a day. The commonplace language
in most radio stations is, ‘We apologize for the break in transmission which was
caused by a cut in public power supply.” There is also the need for desk top
telephone unit or console to facilitate phone-in activities.
475
Above constraints do not however negate the crucial need for the campus
radio as a tool for communication in the teaching and learning process. Where
they are available, information flow beyond academics is possible, as in the ad-
ministration of the institutions giving out information on plans and debunking
rumours. Radio facilities are also very important for students in communica tio n
arts and even where such specialization is not being offered, availability of a
radio station could motivate establishment of such Department. And campus
radio is a veritable source of entertainment wherever they are located.
Conclusion
Communication and education are interwoven. Use of technology by
way of trained manpower and equipment undoubtedly, would enhance academic
and related activities particularly in institutions of higher learning. It is hoped
that donor agencies would lend a hand by financing the purchase, transportatio n,
installation, running and maintenance of campus radios in institutions of higher
learning in Nigeria.
APPENDIX
476
14. 101.1 - Nasarawa State University Mass Communication Department
FM
15. 105.9 - NOUN FM (National Open University of Nigeria) Victoria Is-
land
16. 103.1 - Unilag FM (University of Lagos)
17. 95.7 - LASU Radio (Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos)
18. 89.3 - UNILORIN FM
19. 98.5 - KASU FM (Kaduna State University Radio)
20. 102.5 - Teachers Radio (Nigeria Institute of Teachers NTI)
21. 98.9 - B.U.K FM (Bayero University, Kano)
22. 98.5 - KASU FM (Kaduna State University Radio)
23. 103.2 - Federal Polynek, Owerri FM
24. 90.90 - IMSU STAR FM
25. 98.7 - Caritas University FM Radio
26. 106.9 - Gouni FM (Godfrey Okoye University) Radio, Enugu
27. 106.5 - Stallion FM (Federal College of Education, Ehu-Amufu)
28. 96.7 - Voice FM, Nsukka (FRCN)
29. 106.5 - ESUT RADIO, Enugu
30. 107.2 - IMT RADIO, Enugu
31. 90.5 - Okada Wonderland FM (Igbinedion University Radio), Okada
32. 100.1 - UNIBEN FM (University of Benin Radio), Benin city
33. 94.1 - Hillside FM (Auchi Polytechnic Radio), Auchi
34. 103.7 - Delta State University (DELSU FM), Abraka
35. 89.9 - Benue State University, BSU FM, Makurdi
36. 107.1 - Tansian Radio (Tansian University) FM, Umunya
37. 91.5 - Blaze FM, Oraifite
38. 93.3 - Madonna Radio (Madonna University) FM, Okija)
39. 94.1 - Unizik (Nnamdi Azikiwe University) FM, Awka)
40. 100.7 - UNIUYO FM (University of Uyo)
41. 104.9 - Heritage FM (Heritage Polytechnic, Eket)
42. 101.9 - ABSU FM, Abia State University), Uturu
43. 101 - Flame FM (Federal College of Education (Technical), Omoku)
44. 101 - Kenpoly FM (Ken SaroWiwa Polytechnic, Bori)
NOTES
1. https://www.unicef.org/cbsc/
2. https://www.livestrong.com/article/69309-effective-communication/
477
3. https://uniprojectmaterials.com/mass-communication/radio-as-a-tool-
for-rural-development-a-case-study-of-bokkos- local- government-area-
of-plateau-state/project-topics- materials- for- final-year-students
4. https://www.ndr.org.ng/broadcasting-politics-and-strategic-interest-
amidst-security-concerns- in-nigeria-by-prof-umaru-a-pate/
5. http://www.nbc.gov.ng/posts/dgs-presentation-at-the- first-nitv-summit-
in-paris-france
6. https://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/11/nigeria-ranks- no-1-internet- us-
age-africa/
7. http://www.nigerianstat.gov.ng/nada/index.php/catalog
8. http://birbhum.gov.in/DPSC/reference/7.pdf
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