School of Media and Communication (SMC) hosted a significant institutional partnership event with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) UN Migration. The occasion combined the official signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a thought-provoking guest lecture, underscoring a shared commitment to responsible storytelling around migration.
The event, held at the university’s main campus in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, brought together academic leaders, media professionals, students, and representatives from IOM Nigeria. It began with a courtesy visit to the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Enase Okonedo, setting a collaborative tone for the day’s proceedings.
At the heart of the partnership was the formal MoU signing between the School of Media and Communication, led by SMC Dean, Dr. Ikechukwu Obiaya, Dr. Chike Mgbeadichie, Associate Professor Añulika Agina and IOM Nigeria, represented by Chief of Mission Sharon Dimanche, Rajat Madhok, and Ali Ibrahim. The agreement lays the groundwork for future collaboration in research, capacity building, public engagement, and the development of accurate, human-centred narratives on migration.
In her guest lecture, Sharon Dimanche delivered a clear and compelling message to the media and communication community. “You shape how people view the world,” she said. “Do it responsibly. Holistically tell the story.” She emphasised that migration is as old as human history itself, driven by need. When people move without adequate preparation or support, the consequences can be severe. The responsibility, she stressed, falls on storytellers to present migration accurately and responsibly rather than through incomplete or sensational lenses.
Dimanche highlighted the real-world impact of IOM’s work, particularly its support for returnees from different parts of the world. She called on journalists, communicators, and educators to tell credible stories of these individuals, stories that reflect both the challenges and the pathways to reintegration and dignity. By doing so, the media can help shift public understanding away from stereotypes and toward a more complete picture of migration as a human process that requires preparation, protection, and partnership.
The lecture was followed by a lively question-and-answer session, allowing participants to engage directly with Dimanche on issues of narrative responsibility, the role of media institutions, and practical ways academia and international organisations can work together.
Dr. Chike Mgbeadichie delivered the vote of thanks, expressing appreciation to Sharon Dimanche and her team for their time, insights, and commitment to the partnership. He also acknowledged the collaborative spirit that brought the MoU to fruition and the broader significance of the engagement for students and faculty of School of Media and Communication.
The partnership between Pan-Atlantic University’s School of Media and Communication and IOM Nigeria signals a practical step toward stronger collaboration on migration communication. By combining academic rigour with operational expertise, both institutions aim to equip the next generation of storytellers with the tools and ethical foundation needed to cover migration with accuracy, context, and humanity.