An alumnus of the Department of Mass Communication (now Faculty of Mass Communication), University of Lagos (UNILAG), Mr. Tunde ThanI, has donated a state-of-art Public Relations and Advertising (PRAD) Laboratory to his alma mata.
Mr. Thani, who is the Managing Director/CEO, Explicit Communications Limited, handed over the newly revamped lab to the Faculty on Friday, November 28, 2025, at an event organised by the UNILAG Mass Communication Alumni Association (UMCAA).
The event which was held at the Biodun Shobanjo Centre of Excellence Building, Faculty of Mass Communication, UNILAG, was attended by eminent personalities including the Chairman, Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN) and Chairman, Heads of Advertising Sectoral Group (HASG), Mr. Lanre Adisa; Director, Regulation at the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), Mrs. Emme Akande who represented the Director-General, Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, among others. Also in attendance were the Dean, Faculty of Mass Communication, Prof. Sunday Oloruntola (who represented UNILAG Vice Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, OON, FAS); and faculty members such as Prof. Adepoju Tejumaiye, Dr. Tayo Popoola and Dr. Ebony Oketumbi who represented the Head of the Department of PRAD, Dr. Soji Alabi.
In his address, Mr. Thani urged Nigerians to give back to the education system as government cannot do it alone. The 1983 alumnus explained that his donation of a PRAD Lab was inspired by his observation of a huge and significant gap between the corporate world (practice) and classroom (theory), especially in the area of hands-on experience and exposure.
According to him, this personal experience formed the crux of discussions with the leadership of UMCAA as well as Prof. Ralph Akinfeleye. Thereafter, Dr. Daramola conceived the idea of creating a space where students would learn real-life industry practices way before graduation, a place where theory meets industry application.
While addressing the students of PRAD department, Mr. Thani urged them to maximise the lab for development so as to prepare them for life after university.
The Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Oloruntola Sunday, as well as the Head, Department of Mass Communication, Dr. Popoola thanked Mr. Thani for the kind gesture and assured that the lab would be put to good use.
President Worldwide, UNILAG Alumni Association, Engr. Ifeoluwa Oyedele, represented by the Executive Secretary, Otunba Seun Badejo, JP, extolled Mr. Thani who was a former National Ex Officio member of the body. He corroborated Mr. Thani’s words stating that the government, indeed, cannot fund the education sector alone.
While urging UNILAG alumni to give back to the university in order to continue the tradition of excellence it is known for, he also advised the faculty to reach out to its alumni to garner support for the new faculty.
The project was commissioned by AAAN Chairman, Mr. Lanre Adisa who urged the students to harness the power of social media in building their skills in readiness for the world of advertising. The renowned copywriter and creator of many popular adverts also pledged support for the department.
The event provided a platform for the outgoing UMCAA President, Mr. Adewale Williams to formally hand-over to Mr. Seyi Gambo, the new President who would lead the affairs of association for the next two years.
Author: Ndidi J. Odinikaeze
Photographs: Samuel Dosumu
