Bingham varsity elevates Okocha to professor of journalism, emerging media
From Frank Ikpefan, Abuja Bingham University, Karu, Nasarawa State, has approved the promotion of Dr. Desmond Okocha to the rank of full professor of journalism and emerging media, marking a
From Frank Ikpefan, Abuja
Bingham University, Karu, Nasarawa State, has approved the promotion of Dr. Desmond Okocha to the rank of full professor of journalism and emerging media, marking a significant milestone in the institution's academic development.
The decision to promote Dr Okocha was taken by the Governing Council of the University at its 72nd regular meeting held on March 12, 2026, and it took effect from October 1, 2025.
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Confirmation of the elevation was conveyed in an official letter signed by the Registrar, Daburi Misal.
Dr. Okocha, a respected academic and media expert, currently serves as the Dean of the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies at the university.
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Widely regarded as a “scholar-practitioner,” he has built a reputation for bridging the gap between theoretical research and real-world application in communication and digital media.
Beyond academia, Okocha has held notable public service roles, including serving as Special Adviser on Digital Media and Strategic Communication to the Governor of Abia State from 2020 to 2023.
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His expertise has also been sought by global institutions such as the World Bank, the Global Fund for Women, and the Open Society Initiative for West Africa.
In the international academic community, he is affiliated as a Research Fellow at the University of Religions and Denominations and is a member of the Switzerland-based International Panel on the Information Environment.
A prolific scholar with over 80 publications, Okocha holds a PhD in Mass Communication from NIMS University, India.
His research spans digital journalism, automated journalism, development communication, media ecology, and digital activism.
He is also the founder and chairman of the Institute for Leadership and Development Communication, where he promotes the use of communication as a tool for governance, social justice, and development.
Academically, Okocha is credited with pioneering the concept of digital mediated development (DMD), a framework that explores how artificial intelligence and digital platforms can be leveraged to enhance transparency and democratic participation in developing societies.
His promotion to full professorship is widely seen as recognition of his contributions to advancing media scholarship in Nigeria and across the Global South, particularly in the evolving field of digital and automated journalism.
