Prof. Pate identifies bane of media development in Nigeria, proffers solutions
The Nigerian media industry has been identified as facing challenges of funding, technology, content, credibility, press freedom, and professional safety.
Similarly, this is in addition to fragmentation and changing consumption habits of the citizens with reduced attention span of people and the rise of new owners,
Prof. Umaru A. Pate, Vice Chancellor of the Federal University Kashere, in Gombe state, said this.
SolaceBase reports that further speaking on issues challenging the Nigerian Media landscape, he said they include political interferences, low investments and unfavourable operational environments
‘’There is a failing connection between young Nigerians and the conventional media, though, most adult citizens still cherish, respect and expect credible broadcast journalism in the country,’’ Pate said.
Delivering a keynote address at the Media Sustainability Conference in Abuja on Thursday, Pate painted a stark picture of a fragile industry struggling to keep pace with rapid digital transformation, financial instability, and dwindling audience trust.
Speaking on the theme “Future-Proofing Nigeria’s Journalism Media: A Sustainability Dynamic”, the media scholar did not mince words.
“The traditional media is in crisis. This is not just a transition. For many outlets, it is an existential threat,” he declared at the event jointly hosted by the Media Development Investment Fund (MDIF) and Daily Trust Foundation and supported by MacArthur Foundation.
According to Pate, the media business model, as we know, is crumbling. With fake news factories thriving, declining revenue from traditional streams, and global tech giants monopolizing the digital space without accountability, Nigerian journalism stands at a critical crossroads.
“We’re seeing shrinking audiences, vanishing local newsrooms, and the loss of trust – all of which signal deep structural failure,” he said.
He further highlighted how new media consumption habits and the rise of unregulated digital spaces are eroding journalism’s core function as a public good.
“What we now face is an abundance of speech, but a scarcity of attention,” he said, pointing to the flood of divisive, hateful content on social media platforms.
Pate, a Professor of Media and Society, stressed that the ongoing digital disruption has exposed foundational weaknesses in the structure and culture of Nigerian press.
“Our press products are perishable, the workforce is highly creative but poorly equipped, and yet we still operate with outdated assumptions,” he said. He called for a “radical rethinking” of how media houses operate and sustain themselves. Emphasizing the need for innovation, Pate urged managers to adopt a consumer-centric mindset guided by what he called the 5Rs: Reach, Revenue, Reputation, Relevance, and Resilience.
To survive the digital age, Pate recommended strategic investment in artificial intelligence, robotic journalism, and data-driven content production.
He also advocated for revenue diversification through entrepreneurial services in sectors like hospitality, transportation, and education.
Read Also: At least 80 Gombe education projects unfunded despite budget—State spends billions on entertainment
“Press managers must not just report change, but embrace it. Leadership with vision and digital fluency is no longer optional—it’s survival,” he warned.
However, achieving sustainability is not without its hurdles. Pate identified persistent bureaucratic behaviours, lack of funding for research, weak collaborations, and outdated leadership as significant roadblocks.
“You cannot drive digital transformation with an analogue mindset,” he noted.
Concluding his address, Pate called for a complete overhaul of media training, leadership development, and operational models to reflect contemporary realities.
“We must move beyond fear of failure. Innovation is painful, but necessary. And we cannot do it alone. We need partners, collaborations, and visionary thinking,” he said, quoting Japanese journalists who emphasized the collective nature of meaningful innovation.
As Nigeria navigates an increasingly complex media environment, the message from the conference is clear: adapt fast—or fade away.
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