Students of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ) will put their academic commitment to test for the session as the school has set March 10, 2025 as commencement date for the first-semester exams.
This was contained in a circular sent electronically to students from the office of the Students Affairs Officer, Mrs. Eke Esther, on Friday, February 21.
According to the memo, “First semester exam will begin on Monday, March 10, 2025. All students are expected to register their courses after completion of their first semester fee on the school’s portal before the examinations.”
“Deadline for payment of first semester school fee payment is Monday, March 3, 2025. Payment after this date will attract a late penalty fee of N5,000,” the circular further disclosed.
It also stated that the matriculation ceremony of freshers has been scheduled for Wednesday, March 5 at the NIJ auditorium in Ogba, Lagos.
Newly admitted and returning students are directed to visit the Students Affairs Office, Room 204, for collection of matriculation gowns, begining from Thursday, February 27.
Reacting to the scheduled exam commencement date, president of the Students Representative Council (SRC), Ifeoluwa Opatola, encouraged students to prepare well and avoid cheating, as there will be strict consequences if caught.
In her words, “My advice for students in the upcoming exam is that they prepare well for it and do their best. Also another advice is that they should not plan to cheat because if they are caught, they will be dealt with.”
The SRC boss also urged the management to ensure conducive exam environment for the students by providing constant electricity. She said this while referencing past exams where students had to fan themselves with their scripts due to poor ventilation.
“And, what I think the school should do the make the exam conducive for us is that there should always be power supply when writing our exams. The heat is too much and will not help us think well. Some people also have health-related issues and can’t stay where there is heat. The generator should be of use during our exams,” she added.
STUDENTS REACT
Following the announcement of the first semester examination date, there have been mixed reaction among students of the institution across all levels.
A student from National Diploma (ND) 2, Chinweuba Wisdow, said “{The school} can do better by giving us, at least, a month notice to the exam. Also, the timetable should be released like two weeks before the exams. I know other universities might be doing two days to the exam but we are not like other universities. Most students, just like me, read based on timetable.”
At the time of reporting, the school’s first semester examination time table has not been released. However, the academic exercise is usually done within two weeks.
Expressing unpreparedness, Marvelous Okoye from HND1 said “I’m not prepared for the exam. Also, if the date had been on the academic calendar, it could have been announced earlier.”
Newly admitted students have also shown low level of preparation for the exercises which is the first exams they will write in the institution. Fakomi Toluwanimi from ND1 revealed that she is “20% prepared for the exam but before the exam I would actually put in my possible best to be fully prepared for the exams.”
