A recent article by Bolanle Bolawole, a respected columnist and former editor, made me revisit a piece I once wrote on how to become a journalist. In his commentary, Bolawole seemed to suggest that journalism is a profession reserved for those formally trained in journalism or mass communication. It was the kind of argument that strikes a chord in an age where social media has turned everyone with a smartphone into an “instant reporter.”
But here’s the problem with Bolawole’s argument: it risks creating unnecessary gatekeeping of journalism, ignoring history, practice, and reality. Journalism has never been the exclusive preserve of those with a degree in the field. While formal training is useful—it sharpens skills and grounds practitioners in ethics—journalism, at its core, is defined by practice, integrity, and the ability to inform the public in the interest of society.
This is where my personal journey becomes relevant. I didn’t start out wanting to be a journalist. My career began in the classroom as a teacher of English Language and Literature. But my passion for writing and communication slowly pushed me toward broadcasting. When I joined Katsina State Television (KTTV), I had no journalism certificate in hand, but I was committed to learning, practicing, and growing. Years later, I rose to become the General Manager of the station, and eventually retired as a Director at the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC). Looking back, I know what made me a journalist wasn’t a piece of paper—it was persistence, passion, and professional discipline.
Of course, along the way, I sought to deepen my knowledge. I later acquired a Diploma in Journalism, certificates in Communication Research, Digital Journalism, Radio Journalism and Management, and attended numerous trainings and workshops—both within Nigeria and abroad—on journalism, broadcasting, broadcast regulation, and digitization. These experiences enriched my practice, exposed me to global trends, and strengthened my grounding in the profession. But the key point is this: I was already practicing journalism before I earned these certificates. The learning enhanced my practice; it did not create it.
Interestingly, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) once set a condition that anyone who wishes to be recognized as a journalist must acquire at least a diploma in Journalism or Mass Communication. On paper, this sounded like a sensible step toward professionalizing the field. But in reality, it has not stopped quacks from parading themselves as journalists. Even with the NUJ’s requirement, the industry is still flooded with half-trained or self-styled reporters, many of whom lack the ethics and discipline that define true journalism. This proves again that credentials alone are not the ultimate standard—practice and professionalism are.
This debate is not new. Professor Farooq Kperogi has addressed it before. In his November 2023 Nigerian Tribune article, “What Critics of Rufai Oseni Don’t Know About Journalism,” Kperogi dismantled the argument that only those with formal training can be journalists. He cited the case of Rufai Oseni, a prominent Arise TV anchor with a degree in Animal Anatomy and Physiology. Critics argued that Oseni had no business practicing journalism, but Kperogi reminded us that journalism is a craft open to anyone who masters its practice and principles.
Nigeria itself offers countless examples. Malam Adamu Adamu, a former Minister of Education, studied accounting but carved out a formidable reputation in journalism. Dr. Mansur Liman, who earned a Ph.D. in Chemistry, went on to build a career as an international journalist at the BBC before becoming Director General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN). Professor Abdalla Uba Adamu, once rooted in science education, switched paths entirely and became a Professor of Media and Cultural Studies—the first dual professor in Nigeria. Were these men not journalists simply because they didn’t hold journalism degrees? Clearly, their work speaks louder than credentials.
Globally, authorities agree with this view. UNESCO defines journalism broadly as “the activity of gathering, assessing, creating, and presenting news and information,” stressing that it is grounded in professional standards of truth, accuracy, independence, fairness, and accountability. By this definition, journalism is about what you do, not just the certificate you hold. Likewise, the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) in the United States outlines journalism’s essence in its Code of Ethics: “seek truth and report it, minimize harm, act independently, and be accountable and transparent.” The SPJ does not insist on any degree or certificate as a precondition—it insists on values, practice, and responsibility.
And this is where Bolawole’s argument begins to fall apart. To define journalism solely by academic training is to ignore its broader purpose. Journalism is about storytelling, about uncovering truths, about giving voice to the voiceless. It is about accuracy, fairness, balance, and accountability. A journalism degree can guide you, yes, but it cannot guarantee you will live up to these values. By the same token, the absence of such a degree does not mean you cannot embody them.
What truly makes a journalist is the commitment to truth, the discipline of verification, and the ethical responsibility to serve the public interest. Social media enthusiasts who call themselves journalists may fall short if all they do is repost gossip or spread unverified claims. But with mentorship, experience, and discipline, even they can grow into credible professionals. The line is not in the certificate—it is in the practice.
This is why young Nigerians aspiring to journalism must focus less on the debate about credentials and more on cultivating passion, adaptability, and ethics. The media landscape is evolving fast—digital platforms, podcasts, blogs, and data journalism are reshaping the profession. What matters is not what is written on your certificate, but whether you can use the tools of the trade responsibly to inform and inspire society.
Bolawole is right to worry about the flood of half-baked “citizen journalists” online. But the solution is not to erect barriers based on academic background. The solution is to emphasize professional values, to mentor aspiring journalists, and to remind the public that journalism without ethics is empty noise.
So, to the young social media enthusiasts out there: don’t be discouraged if you don’t have a degree in journalism. What matters is your passion for storytelling, your willingness to learn, and your commitment to truth. That, more than anything else, is what truly makes a journalist.
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