By Adedoyin Adesile
Mr. Ademola Oni, former General Manager (Digital and Publications) of The Punch, has called for the introduction of compulsory professional examinations for aspiring journalists in Nigeria.
He made this recommendation while delivering the 2025 Sparklight News Media Lecture in Abeokuta, Ogun State. The lecture, themed “From Journalists to Data Boys: The Thin Line Between Professionalism and Unethical Practices in the Digital Media Era,” highlighted growing concerns about professionalism in journalism, particularly in the digital age.
Oni decried the rise of growing number of untrained individuals publishing content online in pursuit of clicks and digital traffic, often at the expense of accuracy and ethics which contributes to the challenges faced in the current media landscape.
“Some media houses were not established for profit but to promote the political interests of their founders. While some of these platforms have gone extinct, others now operate exclusively online,” Oni noted.
He explained that many journalists who lost their jobs due to media closures have resorted to joining the digital space who are now referred to as data boys, he said.
Oni recommended government bailouts for struggling media organisations and the introduction of professional assessments for new entrants into journalism. He believes these measures would help rebuild credibility and strengthen the industry to better serve society.
In his response, Dr. Tosin Adesile, host and Publisher of Sparklight News, thanked Mr. Oni for addressing key issues affecting the profession. He described the guest lecturer as “the right peg in the right hole” and commended him for sharing practical solutions.
Dr. Adesile also congratulated all recipients of the 2025 Sparklight Awards and encouraged them to continue making positive contributions in their respective fields.
