By Ali Elias
The Department of Mass Communication at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Enugu State, has invited Dr. Obinna Ezeobi, Manager of Media and Publicity at the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), to serve as the Guest Speaker for its 14th Jackson Annual Lecture in 2025.
Dr. Ezeobi, an alumnus of UNN, will deliver a lecture titled “Local Content, National Development, and Strategic Communications Imperative” on February 20, 2025, at the Princess Alexandra Auditorium, UNN.
In an invitation letter, the Head of the Mass Communication Department, Prof. Michael Ukonu, highlighted that the Jackson Annual Lecture is an academic event designed to bring together media scholars, practitioners, policymakers, students, and the general public. The aim is to discuss current trends in communication studies and their relevance to national development.
Prof. Ukonu emphasized Dr. Ezeobi’s expertise on the lecture’s theme, noting that his insights are expected to offer effective strategies for promoting sustainable development and enhancing local content implementation.
With over two decades of experience in the oil and gas industry, media, and advertising sectors, Dr. Ezeobi holds a Ph.D. in Energy Communications from the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State. His distinguished career includes significant contributions to the development and communication of Nigeria’s local content policies.
The Jackson Annual Lecture is named after John Payne Jackson, an American-Liberian journalist who founded and edited the Lagos Weekly Record in 1891, one of Nigeria’s earliest influential newspapers. Established in 1961, UNN’s Department of Mass Communication, originally known as the Jackson College of Journalism, was the first institution in sub-Saharan Africa to offer journalism courses.
Dr. Ezeobi’s doctoral dissertation, titled “Nigerian Oil and Gas Content Communication Campaigns and Selected Oil Companies’ Awareness and Compliance,” remains a key reference for industry operators and academics. His research explored the introduction and communication of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act as a transformative government policy. It examined the challenges of promoting compliance among international and indigenous oil companies despite extensive communication efforts.
His findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, suggesting ways to improve communication campaigns that foster compliance and stakeholder engagement across various sectors of the Nigerian economy. The study also contributes to understanding how media and communication influence corporate behavior, especially regarding regulatory compliance when business interests are involved.
A founding staff member of the NCDMB since 2010, Dr. Ezeobi previously worked in the media and advertising industries. His goal is to advance the study and practice of Energy Communications and to foster greater public understanding and support for Nigeria’s energy sector.
Dr. Obinna Ezeobi’s upcoming lecture at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, promises to be both inspiring and intellectually enriching. As an accomplished alumnus with extensive experience in media, energy communications, and public policy, his return to share valuable insights on local content and national development is a testament to the enduring influence of the Jackson Annual Lecture. This event not only bridges the gap between academia and industry but also fosters meaningful dialogue on strategic communication’s role in driving sustainable growth in Nigeria.