Unilag launches first campus TV in West Africa

The University of Lagos (Unilag) on Wednesday launched its television station, Channel 184 on StarTimes Digital Broadcasting Channel, making the institution the first university to run a campus television station not only in Nigeria, but in West Africa.

Speaking at the launch, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, said the official kickoff of the institution TV after two years of getting operating license from President Muhammadu Buhari became reality through the efforts of the management board under Prof. Falaiye and the doggedness of Prof. Ralph Akinfeleye in the facilitation of World Bank support in the donation of equipment for the station.

According to him, “Today, I am very glad that the university has invited you to announce that Unilag has blazed the trail again by establishing the first Campus Television not only in Nigeria but in the whole of West Africa. “

Ogundipe noted that Campus TV, first of its kind which will be privately run will set as reference point for credible and factual information that will take broadcasting in Nigeria to the next level.

“Unilag TV will fly on the platform of StarTimes Digital Broadcasting Channel 184, with the state of the art equipment and technical facilities in place.

“The TV would deliver premier, local, national and international news as they unfold, and become the most trusted news source in Nigeria by being impartial, creative, factual , credible, timely and innovative.

“Unilag TV Channel 184 would serve as a reference point in sports, documentaries, quality entertainment and as an instrument for educational advancement. It will also have a time belt for our Distance Learning Teaching Packages.

“ In other words, the television will also serve as an instructional facility for our Distance Learning students. “ Unilag VC explained.

Ogundipe who said that the TV station would comply with the National Broadcasting Commission’s (NBC) code, stressed that it will be of benefit to its host community and the students in particular.

“Another significant benefit is that Unilag TV channel 184 would be deployed to keep our students and the wider community informed of developments in the university through the dedication of one hour to Unilag news.

On his part, Prof. Muyiwa Falaiye, the chairman, Unilag Multi-Media Ventures, said despite Unilag TV being a new station, it would be one of the best professional stations that will showcase both local and international contents, with a view of running 60 per cent of local contents in the coming years.

“This station will be very professional, producing our local contents and buying the ones which cannot produce now.

“However, in the next year, we will have over 60 per cent contents. And with our state of the art equipment, we are set to become an active player in the market while poising to challenge the existing order in the industry“.

He added that the venture has embarked on aggressive staff training which was key to producing television contents.