The management of Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK) has officially released a very important update that directly affects prospective students seeking admission into the institution for the 2025/2026 academic session.
In a circular signed by the Registrar, Dr. Bala Isyaka Ahmed II, on Wednesday, 20th August 2025, the University announced major changes to some academic programmes. These changes include the unbundling of the Mass Communication degree, the restructuring of the Agriculture programme, and the replacement of the Estate Management course.
All candidates who selected these courses in their UTME or Direct Entry applications are expected to change their courses of study immediately to be eligible for the ongoing Post-UTME screening exercise.
Unbundling of Mass Communication
One of the most significant updates is that NSUK will no longer be offering Mass Communication as a single degree programme. Instead, the programme has been unbundled into three separate areas of specialization:
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Broadcasting
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Journalism and Media Studies
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Public Relations
This change is in line with the directive of the National Universities Commission (NUC), which recently approved the breaking down of Mass Communication into more specialized courses across Nigerian universities.
Why This Change Matters
In the past, students who studied Mass Communication were introduced to several aspects of the field—journalism, broadcasting, public relations, advertising, and more—but graduated with just one general degree. This often limited their professional recognition.
Now, by unbundling the course, students can focus on one major discipline throughout their programme. For example:
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A student who is passionate about working on radio, television, film, or digital streaming will now specialize in Broadcasting.
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Students who enjoy writing, reporting, editing, and news coverage can focus on Journalism and Media Studies.
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Those who are interested in organizational communication, brand management, and strategic image building can specialize in Public Relations.
This means graduates will leave the university with stronger, industry-ready skills in their chosen fields.
All candidates who selected Mass Communication in the 2025 UTME or Direct Entry must therefore log into the JAMB portal and change their course of study to one of the three options listed above.
Estate Management Replaced with Urban and Regional Planning
The University also clarified that it does not offer Estate Management as an academic programme. Candidates who applied for this course during UTME or Direct Entry must change their choice to Urban and Regional Planning.
Urban and Regional Planning is a very practical and relevant course in today’s world, as it focuses on the design, organization, and management of urban spaces, towns, and communities. Students in this programme will learn how to create sustainable and functional living environments, address housing challenges, and plan for infrastructure development.
This replacement ensures that students who initially applied for Estate Management will still find themselves in a closely related and equally rewarding field.
Agriculture Programme Restructured
In addition to the changes above, NSUK has also announced that it does not run Agriculture as a single programme. Instead, the Faculty of Agriculture has been reorganized into six specialized departments.
Therefore, candidates who applied for Agriculture must change their course of study to one of the following:
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Animal Science – focuses on animal production, breeding, and health.
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Agronomy – deals with soil science, crop science, and crop production.
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Agricultural Economics and Extension – combines agriculture with rural economics and development.
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Fisheries and Aquaculture Management – focuses on fish farming and the sustainable use of aquatic resources.
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Forestry, Wildlife, and Ecotourism – emphasizes conservation, forest management, and sustainable tourism.
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Home Science and Management – focuses on food, nutrition, family studies, and home management.
This restructuring will give students the opportunity to graduate with specialized degrees that provide better employment and research opportunities. Instead of a general Agriculture degree, students will leave school with a specific qualification in areas where their strengths and interests lie.
Why NSUK Made These Changes
The restructuring of programmes in NSUK is part of a wider reform in Nigeria’s higher education system. The aim is to:
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Modernize outdated programmes.
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Provide students with specialized and practical knowledge.
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Ensure Nigerian graduates can compete with their peers across the world.
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Respond to industry demands by producing graduates who are job-ready and able to solve real-world problems.
For example, the media industry today is highly competitive. Employers prefer graduates who are specialists in areas like Broadcasting or Public Relations, not just generalists. Similarly, the agricultural sector requires professionals with expertise in Animal Science, Agronomy, or Fisheries, rather than broad knowledge that may not be deeply applied.
By introducing these changes, NSUK is helping to shape students into professionals who are ready for today’s job market.
What Affected Candidates Must Do
All candidates who fall into the affected categories (Mass Communication, Estate Management, and Agriculture applicants) must urgently take the following steps:
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Visit the JAMB Portal: Log into the JAMB profile using the details you registered with.
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Apply for Change of Course: Select the new course that applies to your situation (Broadcasting, Journalism, Public Relations, Urban & Regional Planning, or any of the specialized Agriculture programmes).
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Upload Results: Ensure your O’Level results and UTME/DE results are correctly uploaded and accepted.
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Complete Post-UTME Registration: After making the changes, proceed with the Post-UTME application.
Failure to make these changes will automatically disqualify candidates from participating in the Post-UTME screening exercise.
Deadline for Post-UTME
The University has reminded all applicants that the closing date for the Post-UTME screening exercise is 29th August 2025.
This means candidates have less than two weeks from the date of the circular to make necessary corrections and complete their Post-UTME process.
It is important to note that the Post-UTME screening exercise is mandatory. Without taking part in the screening, candidates will not be considered for admission into the university, regardless of their UTME or Direct Entry scores.
Final Advice to Prospective Students
The management of NSUK is urging all prospective students to treat this announcement with urgency and seriousness. These changes are not optional—they are official academic updates that every affected student must comply with.
If you applied for:
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Mass Communication – change to Broadcasting, Journalism & Media Studies, or Public Relations.
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Estate Management – change to Urban & Regional Planning.
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Agriculture – change to one of Animal Science, Agronomy, Agricultural Economics & Extension, Fisheries & Aquaculture Management, Forestry, Wildlife & Ecotourism, or Home Science & Management.
Doing this on time will ensure your admission process remains smooth and that you are eligible for the Post-UTME screening exercise.
The University assures all applicants that these changes are for their benefit, and that graduates of the newly structured programmes will be well prepared for future careers.
The management of NSUK looks forward to welcoming qualified students into its various faculties for the 2025/2026 academic session.