Mass Communication is one of the most sought-after courses in Nigeria, and private universities form a large part of where it is taught.
Candidates preparing for the 2026/2027 admission cycle choose private institutions for stable academic calendars, modern media studios, smaller classes, and a more predictable graduation timeline.
This guide lists the private universities that run the programme, explains what the course covers, states the admission requirements, and describes what to check before applying.
What Mass Communication Is
Mass Communication is the study of how information is created, packaged, and delivered to large audiences through print, broadcast, digital, and social platforms. The degree trains students to research, write, edit, produce, and present content, and to understand the social, legal, and ethical rules that govern the media.
Most Nigerian universities award a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) or Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Mass Communication. Some institutions use related names such as Communication and Media Studies, Media and Communication, or Communication Arts.
The content overlaps, but the title and emphasis differ, so candidates should read the programme description rather than rely on the name alone.
Private Universities Offering Mass Communication
The institutions below are widely known to run Mass Communication or a closely related media programme.
Programme offerings can change from one session to the next, so each should be confirmed through the university’s admissions office and the current JAMB brochure.
Covenant University, Ota (Ogun State):
Offers Mass Communication within a well-equipped media environment, with strong emphasis on practical production.
Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo (Ogun State):
Runs Mass Communication with a mix of theory, internships, and broadcast training.
Bowen University, Iwo (Osun State):
Provides a structured Mass Communication degree with a campus media practice component.
Redeemer’s University, Ede (Osun State):
Offers Mass Communication with training in journalism, public relations, and broadcasting.
Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (Ekiti State):
Teaches Mass Communication with a focus on modern media skills.
Lead City University, Ibadan (Oyo State): One of the longer-running private providers of the course in the south-west.
Caleb University, Imota (Lagos State):
Offers Mass Communication with training in digital and broadcast media.
Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos:
Runs media and communication studies through its school of media and communication, with close links to the Lagos media industry.
Crawford University, Igbesa (Ogun State):
Offers Mass Communication with emphasis on professional writing and presentation.
Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo (Oyo State):
Provides a Mass Communication degree in a smaller, closely supervised setting.
Mountain Top University, Ogun State:
Runs a Mass Communication programme with training in media production.
Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin (Kwara State):
Offers Mass Communication to students in the north-central region.
Baze University, Abuja:
Provides Mass Communication in the Federal Capital Territory, close to government institutions and national media houses.
Nigerian Turkish Nile University, Abuja:
Offers media-related studies in a campus with an international orientation.
Veritas University, Abuja:
Runs Mass Communication in an ethics-focused academic setting.
Madonna University, Okija (Anambra State):
Offers Mass Communication in the south-east.
Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu (Enugu State):
Provides Mass Communication with training in news writing and public relations.
Paul University, Awka (Anambra State):
Offers communication studies in the south-east.
Igbinedion University, Okada (Edo State):
Teaches Mass Communication in the south-south.
Benson Idahosa University, Benin City (Edo State):
Runs a Mass Communication programme with practical broadcast exposure.
Other private universities across the country also run the programme or a variant of it. A candidate who does not find a preferred school above should check the official list of accredited programmes before concluding that it is not offered.
Courses Within Mass Communication
Mass Communication is broad, and many universities let students specialise in the later years.
The common areas are:
Journalism: News gathering, reporting, feature writing, editing, and investigative methods.
Broadcasting: Radio and television production, scriptwriting, presentation, and studio operations.
Public Relations: Reputation management, media relations, corporate communication, and event planning.
Advertising: Campaign planning, copywriting, media buying, and consumer behaviour.
Digital and New Media: Online publishing, social media management, content strategy, and multimedia production.
Film and Video Production: Camera work, editing, directing, and documentary making.
Core courses across most schools include
Introduction to Mass Communication, Writing for the Media, Media Law and Ethics, Communication Theory, Research Methods, Photojournalism, Development Communication, and Media and Society.
Final-year students complete a research project and, in many schools, a compulsory industrial attachment at a media organisation.
Admission Requirements
Requirements vary slightly by institution, but the general standard is consistent.
O’Level requirements: Five credit passes at not more than two sittings, including English Language and Literature in English.
The other credits usually come from subjects such as Government, Economics, Christian Religious Studies, Islamic Studies, History, or a Nigerian language.
JAMB UTME subjects: The standard combination is English Language plus three other subjects.
Literature in English, Government, and Economics are the most common choices, though Christian or Islamic Religious Studies and other arts or social science subjects are accepted in some institutions. Candidates should confirm the exact combination in the current JAMB brochure before registration.
UTME score: Private universities generally set lower cut-off marks than the most competitive public universities, but many still require a score of roughly 160 to 200 or above for Mass Communication.
Some institutions set the bar higher. A stronger score improves the chance of admission and of scholarship consideration.
Post-UTME screening: Most private universities conduct their own screening through aptitude tests, interviews, or a review of results.
Candidates should prepare for English comprehension, general knowledge, and current affairs.
Direct Entry: Candidates with a National Diploma, a Higher National Diploma, or A-level passes in relevant subjects can apply for Direct Entry.
This route typically admits students into the second year and shortens the programme to three years. The standard UTME route takes four years.
Costs and Fees
Tuition at private universities varies widely.
Fees for Mass Communication typically range from the mid-hundreds of thousands of naira to well over a million naira per session, depending on the institution, its location, and the facilities it provides. Charges for accommodation, feeding, laboratory and studio use, medical services, and matriculation are usually separate.
Fees are reviewed periodically, so candidates should request the current schedule directly from the admissions office instead of relying on older figures.
Many private universities offer scholarships, bursaries, or discounts for candidates with strong results, for children of staff, for siblings enrolled together, and for students who demonstrate financial need.
Candidates should ask about these options at the time of application.
Accreditation and Why It Matters
Every degree programme in Nigeria must be approved and accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC).
A programme without approval can lead to a degree that is not recognised for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) mobilisation, postgraduate study, or public-sector employment.
Before paying any fee, a candidate should confirm that the university holds a valid licence and that Mass Communication appears on its list of approved or accredited programmes.
The NUC publishes lists of approved private universities and accredited programmes, and these lists are updated from time to time.
How to Choose the Right University
Several factors separate one programme from another beyond the name of the school.
Facilities: A good programme provides a functional radio studio, a television studio, editing suites, a newsroom, and up-to-date cameras and software. Students learn production by using equipment, not only by reading about it.
Lecturers: Staff with both academic qualifications and professional media experience teach the subject more effectively than those with theory alone.
Internship and industry links: Universities close to major media centres, such as Lagos and Abuja, often arrange placements with newspapers, broadcast stations, advertising agencies, and communication firms.
Student media output: A campus radio station, student newspaper, or online platform gives students a portfolio before graduation.
Location and cost: Total cost includes transport, accommodation, and living expenses in addition to tuition.
Academic calendar: Private universities tend to run stable calendars, but candidates should verify the record of the specific institution.
Career Opportunities After Graduation
A degree in Mass Communication opens a wide range of paths.
Graduates work as reporters, editors, news anchors, producers, presenters, scriptwriters, public relations officers, brand and communication managers, advertising executives, social media managers, content strategists, and corporate communication specialists. Government agencies, non-governmental organisations, banks, telecommunication companies, and international bodies all employ communication professionals. Some graduates pursue freelance journalism, podcasting, video production, or media consulting. Graduates who continue to a master’s degree can move into teaching, research, or senior media management.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mass Communication offered in private universities in Nigeria?
Yes. Many accredited private universities run the programme, including Covenant University, Babcock University, Bowen University, Redeemer’s University, Afe Babalola University, and Lead City University.
What subjects are needed to study Mass Communication?
Candidates need five O’Level credits including English Language and Literature in English, and a UTME combination that includes English Language plus three relevant subjects such as Literature in English, Government, or Economics.
How long does the programme take?
The course lasts four years through UTME and three years through Direct Entry.
Is a degree from a private university as valid as one from a public university?
Yes, provided the university is licensed and the programme is accredited by the National Universities Commission. Accredited degrees are recognised for NYSC, postgraduate admission, and employment.
Can a candidate with a low UTME score still gain admission?
Some private universities admit candidates with scores below the cut-offs of highly competitive public schools, but each institution sets its own minimum. Candidates should check the specific requirement before applying.
Conclusion
Private universities offer a practical and well-structured route to a Mass Communication degree in Nigeria.
The best choice depends on accreditation, facilities, lecturer quality, industry exposure, location, and cost.
Candidates preparing for the 2026/2027 and 2027/2028 sessions should confirm programme availability, current fees, and admission requirements directly with each university and with JAMB before applying, since these details are updated periodically.