A new study has revealed that 58% of journalists working in selected Nigerian newsrooms have no formal training in journalism or media-related courses.
The research, conducted by Nigerian journalist and academic Kemi Busari, was presented at the 2025 Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) National Conference in San Francisco. The work, showcased in two separate sessions, examined the ongoing debate over journalism professionalization and the impact of journalism education on newsroom practice.
Hiring Beyond the Degree
In one of his award-winning papers, “Beyond the Degree: Examining Hiring Criteria and the Role of Journalism Education in the Recruitment of Journalists in Nigerian Newsrooms”, Busari explored how editors and media houses recruit new reporters. Using a mixed-method approach, he identified six “ultimate criteria” valued by recruiters, including passion, ethics, and strong writing skills — factors consistent across different newsroom cultures.
Other “adaptable criteria,” such as age, experience, and critical thinking ability, varied depending on the newsroom’s needs. The study also examined how journalism graduates and non-journalism recruits are integrated into newsroom culture. This paper earned the Top Paper Prize in AEJMC’s Scholastic Journalism Division.
The Paradox of the Journalism Degree
Busari’s second top-rated paper, “The Paradox of Journalism Degree: Exploring the Motivations and Job Perceptions of Journalists Without Formal Journalism Education”, focused on reporters who entered the profession without a journalism degree. Based on surveys and interviews, the study found that 42% of the sampled journalists had studied journalism or related fields, while the remaining 58% came from other disciplines — including 13% from pure sciences such as physiology, botany, and biochemistry.
Many of these non-journalism-trained reporters entered the profession unintentionally, often discovering their passion for the job along the way.
Filling a Research Gap
Busari said the study was the first of its kind in journalism education literature to separate and analyse the experiences of journalists without formal training in the field.
“Often, journalism studies treat journalists as a single, homogenous group,” he noted. “My findings show there are distinct sub-groups with different motivations and experiences. Understanding these differences is crucial.”
He added that the research could inform policy discussions, especially in light of legislative proposals to restrict journalism to degree holders — a move he says must be backed by accurate data on the workforce.
“Legislation on journalism practice and education must be guided by evidence, not assumptions,” Busari stressed. “My study fills a significant data gap and offers a foundation for more informed decisions.”
Further findings from the ongoing research will be released in due course.
Source: @Daily Trust
