By Susan Eboh, Reporting
THE Faculty of Arts, Management and Social Sciences at KolaDaisi University, Ibadan, on Wednesday, 28 January 2026, hosted a lively and intellectually stimulating faculty seminar that brought together lecturers and students across departments for robust academic engagement.
The seminar, held at the Agbekẹ Auditorium, was hosted by the Dean of the Faculty, Professor Sekinat Kola-Aderoju, who described the event as part of the faculty’s commitment to promoting rigorous scholarship and nurturing a culture of continuous learning.
Lecturers and students from 200 to 400 levels, cutting across English, Mass Communication, Political Science and International Relations, were in attendance. Student ushers, media and technical teams ensured smooth coordination and effective coverage of the programme, while lecturers followed the presentations keenly, taking notes and raising critical questions.
Anchored by Dr Lamidi, the seminar featured research presentations by newly inducted doctorate degree holders, beginning with Dr Olúwaṣeun A. Kugbayi, who presented a paper titled “From Unbearable Exile to Uncertain Homecoming: Exploring the Dynamics and Coping Strategies of Displaced Returnees in North-Eastern Nigeria.”
Drawing from extensive fieldwork, Dr Kugbayi examined the lived experiences of displaced persons returning to their communities, highlighting the social, psychological and economic challenges they face.
“My interaction with local communities during fieldwork exposed the harsh realities confronting returnees, from insecurity to lack of basic services,” he said, while also proposing “practical, community-based solutions to support reintegration.”
The presentation sparked insightful reactions, with Professor Ojo questioning the research methodology, while Dr Archibong raised concerns about the proposed solutions in relation to the trauma and abuse suffered by women and children in the region. Dr Kugbayi responded by further clarifying his methods and expanding on gender-sensitive approaches embedded in his recommendations.
The second presentation was delivered by Dr Ibrahim B. Onaopepo, who spoke on “Digital Marketing Effectiveness on Students’ Enrolment in Private Universities in South-West Nigeria.” His paper examined the growing influence of digital and social media marketing on student recruitment in private universities.
Using data and algorithms from institutions such as Ajayi Crowther University and KolaDaisi University, Dr Onaopepo illustrated how online visibility and targeted digital strategies increasingly shape students’ choices.
“Digital platforms now play a decisive role in enrolment decisions, particularly among young people,” he stated, adding that traditional media was “gradually losing its dominance in this area.”
This assertion generated animated debate, especially from senior academics, who questioned the digital tools used to reach such conclusions. Unfazed, Dr Onaopepo defended his findings, providing further explanation of the analytical frameworks employed in his study.
The seminar concluded with congratulatory remarks to the newly qualified doctors, as participants commended the quality of the presentations and the depth of scholarly exchange.
Many students described the event as inspiring, reinforcing the idea that learning is a continuous process and encouraging them to “aim higher and strive for excellence,” both within and beyond the classroom.
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