By Waziri Isa Adam
A top Scholar in the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, University of Lagos who was recently promoted to the rank of Professor, Ifeoma Amobi, has described her elevation to the highest academic rank in the ivory tower as “the fulfilment of a childhood dream,” saying she “glorifies the Lord for removing any obstacles that would have deterred this achievement” in an interview with Education Monitor in Lagos.
She noted that while it is “the expectation of any academic to get to the peak of their career after years of hard work in the academia, but anything could truncate that dream.”
Professor Amobi pointed to a pivotal decision during her doctoral programme that shaped her academic path. “At the onset of my doctoral programme, my supervisor, Prof. Ralph Akinfeleye, advised me to shift my research focus from Film to Health Communication,” she said.
She admitted the shift was not welcome at first. “I’ll be honest—I was not pleased about it at the time. It felt like a major departure from what I had originally set out to do,” Professor Amobi said.
Looking back, she said the change proved to be a defining moment. “In retrospect, that decision was truly pivotal. It not only redirected my academic path but also opened doors to international research collaborations,” she said.
The new focus helped her build expertise in a critical area of contemporary scholarship. “It helped me build expertise in areas like health misinformation and fact-checking —fields that have become increasingly critical in today’s information ecosystem,” Professor Amobi said.
Her background in digital and multimedia journalism also enhanced her work. “It strengthened both my research and pedagogical approach, especially in navigating physical and virtual learning spaces,” she explained.
Professor Amobi said the combined experiences have produced tangible academic outcomes. “Altogether, these combined experiences have culminated in the production of impactful research publications,” she said.
She added that the journey has advanced her professional standing. “They have contributed meaningfully to my academic growth and career mobility,” Professor Amobi said.
For Professor Amobi, the promotion represents both the realisation of a lifelong goal and the outcome of sustained scholarship and adaptation in a changing academic environment.