Danfodiyo varsity to upgrade Mass Comm Dept to faculty – VC Garba says

From Bashir Rabe Mani, Sokoto

Plans are at an advanced stage for the upgrading of Mass Communications of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University,Sokoto, to the status of a Faculty of Media and Communication, with no fewer than five degree programmes, according to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bashir Garba
Our correspondent reports that Prof. Garba spoke at the ongoing Maiden Mass Communications International Conference 2026, holding at the Institution.
Organized by the Department of the Mass Communications of the University, the conference has as theme, ‘Media and National Development in the Era of Artificial Intelligence’.
He added,”A substantial number of new academic staff have recently been appointed to the department.
“This, the future of Mass Communications in this University is bright.”
Prof. Bashir Garba also said that the University Library in its errors to harness the potentials of AI, had developed two Artificial Intelligence-Powered chartbot platforms.
He listed them as the “UDUS Digital Librarian and UDUS Research Robot” to enhance Library and research support services for staff and students of the University as well as other Library users.
Prof. Bashir Garba said, “The development of these platforms was initiated to address the growing demand for timely information services.
“They also include research assistance, digital reference support, and user engagement in an environment characterized by increasing students’ enrolment and limited human resources.
“The chatbots provide twenty-four-hour access information and capable of handling routine inquiries, guiding users to relevant resources, supporting research activities and promoting library services.”