From Campus to Mainstream: How UDUS Alumni Excel in Journalism

Like every other student, Mustapha Usman popularly called TWolly gained admission into Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto UDUS to study Biochemistry in 2016.

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Despite being a Science student whose course was not related to Mass Communication or Journalism, his passion for extracurricular activities made him join campus journalism and other clubs.

Mustapha who graduated in the 2020/2021 academic session created a niche for himself before leaving campus. He served as Social Media Manager and Editor at PEN PRESS UDUS, one of the five prominent media outlets under the National Association of Campus Journalists (NACJ) UDUS chapter. Also, he was able to rule as president at Rotafodiyo or Rotaract Club UDUS. 

While speaking with this reporter, Mustapha recalled his journalism journey. “What inspired me to join PEN PRESS was my ambition and love for extracurricular activities. Although I didn't have interest at first sight of joining but along the process I picked up interest in journalism.”

At the moment, Mustapha is a full-time journalist with the prestigious International Center for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) in Abuja. As a journalist, being the voice of the voiceless, holding power accountable, and righting the wrong are his motivations to write stories. “When you have an impact on what you do, it serves as a motivation and that is what keeps me going.”

UDUS as a second generation university established in September 1975 did not have Journalism or Mass Communication as a course of study until the 2019/2020 academic session. However, before then and afterward, her students have been thriving in the media space. They built and uphold what is called Danfodiyo school of journalism and passed the baton from generation to generation.

Nothing Comes Easy

Juggling journalism with academics was tough for Mustapha and made him go through a lot but he survived. Regardless of the challenging, skills he achieved along the line helped him to leverage life after campus.

“Today, what I achieved from joining extracurricular activities, based on scheduling time management, leverage by assimilating quickly, and etcetera are working for me,” he boasted.

During Mustapha’s undergraduate days, he won a couple of awards which marked achievement in his journalism career. He was awarded as campus journalist of the year, campus reporter of the year and others to which he was driven to stay relevant and highly dedicated.

Meanwhile, journalism wasn't a booming business at the time he joined. He was writing for The  Nation newspaper without getting any stipend until during his 300-level days when he started earning little money. 

Not Only Mustapha

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There are many UDUS alumni that are making waves in the media space. One of them is this multiple award-winning investigative journalist with The ICIR, Yahaya Nurudeen Akewushola who also started from campus. Just like Mustapha, he was also a Science student who studied Mathematics and engaged well in campus journalism.

While on campus, he served as Editor-in-Chief of PEN PRESS UDUS, international service director of RAC UDUS among other capacities. Akewushola’s experience enhanced his portfolio after graduation and offered him a professional job.

“Being an executive at Emirate, Rotaract Club, PEN PRESS, likewise my department gave me the privilege of excelling in both activities which was what became my professional work,” Akewushola asserted.

There's a formula to success — Abdulwasiu Olokooba

A recent graduate of Law and the immediate past president of NACJ-UDUS, Abdulwasiu Olokooba recollects his journalism journey while emphasizing that there is a formula to success.

“I have an ambition to excel beyond the campus which made me set goals and objectives to be achieved. Regardless of every challenge, God always crowns my effort,” said Olookoba.

Fortunately, he won several awards (national and international) and was also privileged to obtain his first job, second job and third job while still on campus. “Writing a good story, be it investigative, Fact-Check, or more used to bring in money. It is like compiling a Curriculum Vitae (CV), once the CV is sellable, people we surely acknowledge its worth,” he asserted.

Like President Like His Vice

Another graduate of Law, Abdulrasheed Hammad who served as vice to Olokooba as the president of NACJ started as campus award-winning journalist before transitioning to mainstream journalism. 

Hammad’s journey began as a writer with PEN PRESS in 2018 and promoted to become Reporter, Sub-editor, and Editor-In-Chief consecutively. His passion and determination to create impact led him to be a contributor with The Nation newspaper. 

“Due to the power of consistency, I received my first grant of N70,000 as a campus journalist in 2020 from The ICIR. Also, I was selected for AICJ fellowship in 2020 which ignited interest in applying for media opportunities. As a result, I got shortlisted for UDEME in 2022,” he recalled.

Further Achievements

Hammad won Silver in the online category of the PAJI 2023 Africa investigative journalism award in Senegal.  He specializes in Health reporting, Climate Change, Accountability Journalism, Data Journalism, Solution Journalism (SoJo), Fact-Checking, and investigative journalism.

Hammad's works have been featured in prominent media outlet such as: University World News, The Nation (Nigeria), ICIR, HumAngle, Ripples Nigeria, Campus Reporter/UDEME(CJID), Daily Trust, Dataphyte, Media Career, Opinion Nigeria, Herald Newspaper, among others.

Skills Rather Than Just Degrees — Professor Isa Ali Pantami

The former Honorable Minister for Communications of Nigeria, Professor Isa Ali Pantami emphasized the significance of skills in his book titled: “Skills Rather Than Just Degrees”. He highlighted that skills are the way out in this rapidly changing world.

“The true value of education lies in the application of acquired knowledge and skills. It’s not just about obtaining degrees but being able to effectively use what you have learned.”

More Bylines

Aside from the above journalists, these are few from the uncountable bylines of UDUS products that are thriving in journalism: Abiodun Jamiu, Abdulwaheed Sofiullahi, Promise Eze, Qosim Suleiman, Maryam Abdullahi, Hammed J. Suleiman, Abdullahi Tijani, Taoheed Adegbite, Lawal Soffiyah Bolanle, Abdulganiyu Abdulrahman Akanbi, Muritala Abdullahi, just to mention but a few.