The Department of Mass Communication, Mountain Top University, reinforced its commitment to bridging the gap between academia and industry by recently hosting another edition of its Industry–Academic Partnership Series during the 2026 Students’ Week celebration.
The three-day event, held from 17 to 19 June 2026, brought together students, academics, and media professionals for an enriching experience designed to foster professional development, mentorship, and practical industry exposure.
Welcome Address and Distinguished Guests
The event featured a lineup of prominent professionals and faculty leaders.
Distinguished guests and leadership present included:
Mr. Segun Odunayo – Chief Correspondent and Deputy Head of Programmes at Punch Newspapers
Miss Nmesomachukwu Owoh – Executive Brand Strategist and alumna of the department
Dr. (Mrs.) Chinyere Mbaka – Head of the Department of Mass Communication
In her welcome address, Dr. Mbaka described the Department of Mass Communication as one of the University’s most vibrant and strategic academic units, highlighting its significant contributions to the growth and visibility of Mountain Top University.
According to her, Mass Communication remains the second-largest department in the University and has consistently played a pivotal role in providing media coverage and communication support for major institutional events and programmes.
Dr. Mbaka commended the students for upholding the reputation of the department through their academic achievements and active participation in extracurricular activities. She further praised them for winning several awards within the University, describing them as worthy ambassadors of the department and the institution at large.
Industry Lecture: Beyond the Headlines
The highlight of the event was an engaging industry lecture delivered by Mr. Segun Odunayo on the theme "Beyond the Headlines." Drawing from his extensive experience in journalism and media practice, he provided participants with valuable insights into the art and science of headline writing in contemporary media.
Mr. Odunayo explained that headlines remain one of the most critical elements of news writing, serving as the gateway through which audiences engage with stories.
“A well-researched and impactful story may fail to achieve its purpose if the headline does not attract readers’ attention,” he noted, emphasising the need for journalists to develop strong headline-writing skills.
He further identified the key factors that influence the effectiveness of headlines in today’s highly competitive digital media landscape:
Timeliness and relevance
Search engine optimisation (SEO)
Emotional appeal
Audience interest and curiosity
Speaking on the future of journalism, he encouraged students to embrace innovation and adapt to emerging trends shaping the media industry, particularly the growing influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI). According to him, aspiring communication professionals must continuously develop new skills to remain relevant and competitive in an evolving media environment.
Navigating from Classroom to Corporate Success
Also addressing participants, Miss Nmesomachukwu Owoh shared practical insights on navigating academic life and building a successful professional career after graduation. Reflecting on her journey from student to professional brand strategist, she encouraged students to remain focused, disciplined, and intentional about their personal and professional development.
She identified several essential ingredients for achieving lasting success in both academic and professional pursuits:
Consistency and mentorship
Collaboration and continuous learning
Clarity of purpose
Resilience and gratitude
Interactive Sessions and Recognition
The event featured an interactive question-and-answer session that provided students with the opportunity to engage directly with the guest speakers on issues relating to journalism, branding, career development, and the future of communication.
Participants also enjoyed games and an awards presentation that recognised the outstanding contributions of certain individuals to the department.