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International Journal of Social Sciences and Management Review PERCEPTION

AND ACCEPTANCE OF CAMPUS RADIO (LASPOTECH 101.9 FM) AMONG MASS
COMMUNICATION STUDENTS OF LAGOS STATE POLYT...

Article · March 2023

DOI: 10.37602/IJSSMR.2022.5124

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International Journal of Social Sciences and Management Review
Volume: 05, Issue: 01 “ January - February 2022”
ISSN 2582-0176

PERCEPTION AND ACCEPTANCE OF CAMPUS RADIO

(LASPOTECH 101.9 FM) AMONG MASS COMMUNICATION
STUDENTS OF LAGOS STATE POLYTECHNIC

ACHEME, Ramson Oloche

PhD student, Department of Mass Communication, School of Postgraduate Studies,
University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.
+234 8020706899

ADESEMOYE, Steven Anu‘

Lecturer, Department of Mass Communication, School of Communication and Liberal Studies,
Lagos State Polytechnic, Ikorodu, Lagos, Nigeria.
+234 8023387733

[Link]

ABSTRACT

Since the first campus radio, UNILAG FM 103.1, commenced operation in Nigeria, many
universities, polytechnics and colleges have joined the train in establishing campus radios
across the country. Laspotech 101.9 FM, which is the official campus radio for the Lagos
State Polytechnic, has been in operation for over three years now and the station has recorded
reasonable success. However, the students of the polytechnic do not seem to show interest in
their campus radio. This has posed questions, which have led to this study. The study was set
out to examine perception and acceptance of Laspotech 101.9FM among students of the
polytechnic. Students of the mass communication department of the Lagos State Polytechnic
were chosen as the population of the study and two hundred and forty of them were served a
thirteen-item questionnaire. The result was collated analysed in a frequency table. Findings
reveal that the students of Lagos State Polytechnic view Laspotech 101.9FM in good light
and they are willing to support the campus radio by promoting the brand. Hinged on
democratic participant and development media theories, the study recommends that more
studies be conducted to know the types of programmes the student would like.

Keywords: radio broadcasting, community radio, campus radio, perception,

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Since the first campus radio station in Nigeria began operation in 2002, many other
universities and polytechnic across the country have joined the train to establish institutional
radio for their academic environment. The UNILAG 103.1 FM set the pace and since then, it
has become a tradition for higher institutions to apply for licenses to own and operate campus
radio (Adesemoye & Acheme, 2021). Campus radios are usually located on the host
institution’s sites, reaching the immediate environment with the transmission of signals with
programmes. The studios are also designed for the practical education of Mass
Communication students of the host institution. Campus radio is originally non-partisan and
is not aligned to any group’s philosophy other than what the management set out to do,
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education and teaching the students. Campus radio stations are generally licensed and
regulated by national governments and have very different characteristics from one country to
the next. In Nigeria, campus radio has evolved from a humble beginning into a standard
practice where they now compete with other local radio stations around. In one of his notable
speeches, a professor of the broadcast at the University of Lagos, Professor ralph Akinfeleye
narrated the evolution of campus radio in Nigeria. Akinfeleye, who delivered a paper entitled,
‘From Nothing casting to Narrowcasting and now Digital Broadcasting: The metamorphosis
of Campus Broadcasting in Nigeria’, noted, “the genesis of campus broadcasting in Nigeria
began in the 1970s but became more rigorous in the 1980s (precisely 1980) while National
Broadcasting Commission (NBC) was established in 1992 after the Badagry National
Conference on Communication Policy – Powered by Prince Tony Momoh, the then Minister
of Information and Culture. The UNILAG Initiative – Mass Communication department
pioneered the struggle, followed by other universities, including but not limited to BUK,
UNN, UNIMAID, LASU and many more. According to him, “the narrowcasting era came
after nothing casting era. This time the mass communication departments engaged in the
procurement of mini box transmission within their mass communication buildings such as
offices of staff and classrooms were furnished with voice boxes from small wire connections
to the studio-like-arrangement – they were narrowcasting to themselves. “Then the digital
broadcasting era, currently the majority of mass communication departments now have
digital studios where they now broadcast professionally. This is one of them that we are
commissioning today, BUK 98.9FM whose flagship is broadcasting for Innovation and
Development. It has added value to the new era of digital broadcasting on our campuses.” He
said Unilag Radio 103.1FM is the first university radio in Nigeria and was birthed in 2004
even though it got a broadcast licence in 2002, under President Olusegun Obasanjo’s
administration (Mwantok & Aikulola, 2020).

Though campus radio is trending around the world and many Nigerian institutions of learning
are operating campus radio, there are many challenges the stations are facing. On the major
challenges of campus radio/TV in Nigeria, Professor Akinfele noted that it took Unilag 25
years to get a radio licence, but because of the success story of Unilag Radio, the licence to
other universities and polytechnics did not take 25 years. It took two years to be assigned
frequency by the NCC, hence the delay to 2004 for Unilag Radio. Other challenges, he said,
include “huge cost of licensing fees (N1 million for campus radio), renewable every five
years with the same amount, lack of availability of broadcast spectrum in Lagos, Abuja, Port
Harcourt, and so on, was given as part of the long delay for approval, the problem of over-
regulation by NBC, the long delay before NBC gives approval, which makes it appear as if
NBC is trying to be a ‘Media Trader’ rather than a ‘Media Regulator’; not granting
permission for limited advertising to support the running of campus radio stations; unending
complaints by the commercial radio stations against campus stations. They see campus radio
stations as competitors buying-in-to their limited advertising revenue in their localities; lack
of proper relationship management between the regulator NBC and campus radio stations.

2.0 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

With the rise of campus radio in Nigeria, over forty campus radio currently operates in
Nigerian campuses. All these stations pose as rivals to themselves even though they are not
operating from the same campus. While this is a problem, there are many other public and

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International Journal of Social Sciences and Management Review
Volume: 05, Issue: 01 “ January - February 2022”
ISSN 2582-0176

private radio stations in the towns, which already have a reputation and huge fan base among
the people. Campus radio stations like Laspotech 101.9 FM have many challenges around
and need quality programmes, trained officials and well-coordinated affairs to attract large
listeners. The students of these institutions with campus radio stations are the first and most
target audience for these stations. When they have an unfavourable perception of their
immediate radio, they wouldn’t be proud of supporting their institution’s radio. This is what
prompted this study, to find out the perception of students of Lagos State Polytechnic towards
Laspotech 101.9 FM.

3.0 RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

The following objectives are the focus of this study:

1. Do the students have a good perception of Laspotech 101.9 FM?

2. How proud are the students of their campus radio, Laspotech 101.9 FM?
3. Do mass communication students enjoy the programmes aired on Laspotech 101.9
FM?
4. To find out if they have a favourite programme on Laspotech 101.9 FM
5. Would the students participate in the development of Laspotech 101.9 FM?

4.0 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. What is the students’ perception of Laspotech 101.9 FM?

2. Are the students proud of their campus radio, Laspotech 101.9 FM?
3. Do mass communication students like the programmes aired on Laspotech 101.9 FM?
4. What is their favourite programme on Laspotech 101.9 FM:
5. Are the students willing to participate in the development of Laspotech 101.9 FM?

5.0 REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Radio as a medium of mass communication became popular in developing societies for many
reasons. Oyetoro, Joshua & Aduradola (2013) believe that radio by nature is the ideal
medium for development in Africa as it provides access to a large number of people, both
literate and non-literate. They point to the many advantages of the medium, which makes it a
choice medium of communication when compared to other media, radio is relatively cheaper,
simple to use, portable and operate virtually everywhere with or without electricity supply.
Among the many benefits or advantages of radio is that it creates a channel for interactive
communication and serve as a source of dialogue on issues of rural development. Scholars
believe the medium serves as a platform for democratic and pluralistic expression of the
communities, and means of raising public awareness and motivation (Daramola 2014; Oyero
et al 2013). Asemah (2011) in a bid to highlight the special contribution of radio (and
television) to rural development wrote that rural broadcasting entails the use of community
radio and television to carry out developmental programmes to the rural dwellers.

Community radio, also called rural radio, is a radio that is about, for by and of a specific
marginalised community whose ownership and management representative of its community
that pursues a participating development agenda, and that is non-partisan and non-sectarian
(Quarmyne, 2009; Daramola, 2014). Adegbola & Oyedele (2013, p. 288) gave a more

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International Journal of Social Sciences and Management Review
Volume: 05, Issue: 01 “ January - February 2022”
ISSN 2582-0176

simplified and reasonable explanation of what community radio is. They wrote: “any radio
station that is owned, operated, controlled and used to communicate development issue,
mobilise and encourage people of a community to participate in the process of development
without profit motive is known as a community radio.” Daramola (2014) expatiated on this
by writing that community radio refers to a radio station owned and controlled by a
community defined either geographically or as a community of interests and it is not profit-
oriented. It is also believed by some scholars that community radio could be owned by non-
governmental organisations working in communities or by a group of people within the
community, associations, trust or a foundation (Adesemoye & Acheme, 2021).

Asemah (2011) believes that rural radio can be used to mobilise the people at the grassroots
level for community development and national consciousness. He argued that no serious
mass-oriented development programme in rural areas of Africa will survive without the
active involvement of the people within the traditional system. In this view, Daramola (2014)
explains that the origin of community radio can be traced to repressive experiences of many
communities who were marginalised by city media and therefore they opt for community
radio as a tool for highlighting their rights and raising issues concerning their interests.
Community radio, therefore, represents the voice of rural people, minorities, oppressed, voice
of the poor even within a large urban settlement.

Daramola (2014) is of the opinion that community radio can best be used for the re-
information of previously accepted activities that will satisfy the people. By implication, this
will enhance many virtual areas of community development like the health services or the
agricultural extension services. Scholars believe that there are many ways community radio
would enhance good governance including sensitising the rural population on the importance
of democracy, discussing issues that affect them in terms of communal conflicts, health
emergencies, hospitals, good roads, etc. (Julius-Adeoye, 2013).

In a study conducted by Chudey, Akpoveta & Ogbemi (2014) on teenagers’ response to local
radio messages on HIV/AIDs campaign in Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State, it was found that most
secondary students get information concerning HIV/AIDs through radio messages and it was
recommended that since radio messages are good means of obtaining information concerning
HIV/AIDs. In a study conducted in 2014 by Chinedu & Ngonso to examine media coverage
of infectious disease, it was found that issues of infectious disease were not prominent in the
Nigerian print media. Afolayan, Abuya, Kumuyi & Adewole (2011) examined the role,
challenges and prospects of the mass media in the implementation of the health components
of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). They found that the health-related MDGs
have gained widespread acceptance in Nigeria through the instrumentality of the media.

6.0 RADIO BROADCASTING IN NIGERIA: A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

Radio Broadcasting in Nigeria can be traced back to December 19, 1932, when a repeater
station of the British Broadcasting Corporation set up in Lagos began operations. To listen to
the radio, one had to subscribe, and be given a loudspeaker cabled right to the station and
hung in the house. The excitement that greeted this rudimentary development was illustrated
by the fact that within a year, subscribers to loudspeakers outnumbered the available
loudspeakers. The service, known as Radio Distribution Services (RDS), was extended to

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Ibadan in 1939. Colonial broadcasting, as we have chosen to call this era, lasted for nineteen
years: 1932 to 1951 (Duyile, 1989).

In 1951, the cord of tutelage to the BBC was severed and the RDS came to be known as the
Nigerian Broadcasting Service. Incorporated in 1957 as the Nigerian Broadcasting
Corporation, the service monopolised radio broadcasting till 1959, when the Broadcasting
Law, which permitted the establishment of regional broadcasting houses, was passed (Duyile,
1989).

The era of federally monopolised radio broadcasting thus lasted for eight years, giving way to
a two-tier broadcasting landscape.

Between 1959 and 1962, each of the three regions established a broadcast station: The
Western Region in 1959; Eastern Region in 1960 and Northern Region in 1962. The number
of regional radio stations witnessed an upswing with the coming of successive military
governments which increased the number of regions or states-the Yakubu Gowon
administration increased the number of regions from four to twelve in 1967;
Muritala/Obasanjo increased that to nineteen in 1976; Ibrahim Babangida upped it to 21 in
1987, and to 30 in 1991; and Sani Abacha increased the number to 36 in 1996. Nearly every
state established its own radio station (Duyile, 1989). By 1996, the number of radio stations
in Nigeria was about forty (Daramola, 2006).

The two-tier broadcasting landscape was intact for 33 years. Though the 1979 Constitution
(Section 36, 2) made express provisions for the establishment of private stations, which
would have introduced a three-tier landscape, aspiring private station owners had to wait for
13 years, sixty years after radio broadcasting began before realising their aspirations.
Successive governments had solidly resisted demands for this section of the constitution to be
put into effect, until 1992 when the military government gave in to the legitimate pressure for
a more diversified landscape (Daramola, 2006). In Nigeria, there are three types of stations:
government and commercial (private) and community radio. The third type, community radio
continues to remain in the realm of things hoped for; demanded but unseen (Ogunleye, 2010).

7.0 CONCEPT OF COMMUNITY RADIO

The invention of radio waves in 1887 by Henrich Hertz, Marconi’s wireless communication
device and Conrad’s radio transmitter set the template upon which the invention of the radio
is built today. It is pervasive, portable and easy to maintain today. According to Daramola
(2003), listening to the radio is convenient while one is engaging in other activities. It
possesses some special qualities that aren’t inherent in other media of mass communication.

Community radio is a social process or event in which members of the community associate
together to design programmes and produce and air them, thus taking on the primary role of
actors in their own destiny, whether this is for something as common as mending fences in
the neighbourhood, or a community-wide campaign on how to use clean water and keep it
clean, or agitation for the election of new leaders (Ogunleye, 2010). The emphasis is on the
ownership of democratic and development efforts by the members of the community
themselves and the use of media, in this case, radio, to achieve it. In every sense, this is
participatory communication (not programmes made about them by somebody else!). It is
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above all a process, not merely a means, because the people are part of that means, and so are
the message and the audience.

Community radio is most relevant to a group of people, who live and act as a community, and
this could be several families, several neighbourhoods, or even several villages or
communities, but the important thing is that they interact (Ogunleye, 2010). Hence,
community radio is the community speaking to each other and acting together for common
goals.” (Arnaldo, 1999, p. 4). It could also be described as a radio service offering a third
model of radio broadcasting in addition to commercial and public broadcasting. Community
stations serve geographic communities and communities of interest. They broadcast content
that is popular and relevant to a local, specific audience but is often overlooked by
commercial or mass-media broadcasters.

This has been demonstrated by the special UNESCO project, Women Speaking to Women
community radio stations for the empowerment of women. Given the audience’s low literacy
rate and radio’s ability to involve women and to treat them not only as objects or merely as a
target audience, but also as participating agents and as a valuable source, community radio
becomes one of the most promising tools for community development (Ogunleye, 2010).

Community radio outlets may carry news and information programming geared toward the
local area (particularly immigrant or minority groups who are poorly served by major media
outlets). A meme used by members of the community is that community radio should be 10
percent radio and 90 percent community. This means that community radio stations should
focus on getting the community talking and not solely on the radio (which is a technological
process); but that the social concerns of the community are stressed over the radio. There is
also a distinction drawn in contrast to mainstream stations, which are viewed as pandering to
commercial concerns or the personalities of presenters (Ogunleye, 2010).

Daramola (2003) supports this view when he said community radio is based on the need of
liberalizing access to broadcasting and not with regards to reception but also with regards to
transmission. The people jointly own a community radio and it is used to promote their cause.
One interesting thing about community radio is its ability to run its programmes in
indigenous languages, which promotes commonality.

8.0 CAMPUS RADIO IN NIGERIA

Campus radio can be referred to as college radio, university radio or student radio. It is
therefore a type of radio station that is run by the students of a college, university or other
educational institutions (Jegede, Akintayo, Chioma & Okechukwu, 2015). Campus radio is
supposed to work as community radio within its campus and ensure that all its programming
are participatory, from programming ideas generation to implementation, that is, presentation
of the programmes. Sometimes campus stations are operated for the purpose of training
professional radio personnel, sometimes with the aim of broadcasting educational
programming, while other stations exist to provide an alternative to commercial or
government broadcasters. campus stations which can be referred to as a sub-set of community
radio stations can fill the gaps for commercial and government stations by playing more local
music to promote local or campus musicians. As stated by Anaeto (2007) and cited in Jegede
et al (2015), what informed the establishment of campus radio is rooted in the need to
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enhance campus journalism. According to the scholars, Campus journalism is about

gathering, writing, editing and presentation of news in a school newspaper, magazine, radio
and television by students of tertiary institutions. Any campus medium established by any
school is for the purpose of serving the school and its community with information, education
and entertainment.

Over the years tertiary institution leaders in Nigeria were clamouring for permission to
operate campus television. In April 2002, the government granted a radio licence to the
University of Lagos. This opened the door for more tertiary institutions to seek radio stations
and in 2007 President Shehu Musa Yar’Adua approved a set of licences for private, public
and regional tertiary institutions. Sometime in 2009, the Nigerian government has awarded
licences to 27 tertiary institutions to operate community radio on their campuses. The
education institutions given licences are to use the radio stations for teaching, research and
entertainment (Fatunde, 2009). As stated by Fatunde (2009), there were two major reasons
for the expansion of campus radio. First, the government was satisfied with the way the
University of Lagos made use of its radio licence. Second, there was a pressing need to
provide a communication infrastructure for the newly founded National Open University
whose role is to provide university education to school-leavers who could not gain admission
to limited slots in universities.

LIST OF CAMPUS RADIO IN NIGERIA

S/N Name of Radio Station Host Institution Location Remark

1. UNIUYO FM University of Uyo Uyo, Akwa-Ibom

State.

2. Heritage FM Heritage Polytechnic Eket, Akwa-Ibom Sate

3. Madonna Radio FM Madonna University Okija, Anambra State

4. Unizik FM Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Anambra State

5. Tansian Radio FM Tansian University Umunya, Anambra

State

6. BSU FM Benue State University Makurdi, Benue State

7. Okada Wonderland FM Igbinedion University Radio Okada, Edo State

8. Uniben FM University of Benin Benin City, Edo State

9. Hillside FM Auchi Polytechnic Auchi, Edo State

10. Caritas University Radio Caritas University Enugu State

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11. GOUNI Radio Geoffrey Okoye University Enugu, Enugu State

12. Lion FM University of Nigeria Nsukka, Enugu State
13. BUK FM Kano Bayero University Kano State
14. Unilorin FM University of Ilorin Kwara State
15 Laspotech 101.9 FM Lagos State Polytechnic Ikorodu, Lagos
16. LASU Radio Lagos State University Ojo, Lagos State
17. NOUN FM National Open University of Victoria Island, Lagos
Nigeria State
18. Unilag FM University of Lagos Akoka, Lagos State.
19. Nasarawa State Nasarawa State University Lafia
University FM, Lafia
20. Search FM, Minna Federal University of Niger State
Technology, Minna
21. Hope FM Babcock University Ilisan-Remo, Ogun
State.
22. Hebron FM Covenant University Ota, Ogun State.
23. Great FM Obafemi Awolowo OAU Ile-Ife, Osun
University State
24. Lead City FM Lead University Jericho, Ibadan, Oyo
State.
25. Diamond FM University of Ibadan Oyo State.
26. ICEFMUJ FM University of Jos Plateau State
27. Unique FM University of Port Harcourt Rivers State.
28. Samaru FM Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Kaduna State.
29. Click FM Ibrahim Babangida Lapai,
University Niger State

30. Ultimate FM College of Education Minna, Niger State

31. Varsity FM Radio Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba-Akoko,
Ondo State
32. ESUT Radio Enugu State University of Enugu State.
Technology
33. Rhema FM Rhema University Aba, Abia State
34. DELSU FM Radio Delta State University Abraka, Delta State
35. KASU Radio Kaduna State University Kaduna State
36. COOU FM Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Igbariam, Anambra
Ojukwu University State.
37. Kanem FM University of Maiduguri Borno
38. Teacher’s’ Radio N.T.I Kaduna

Source: IMS (institute for media society), as updated in this study.

9.0 BRIEF PROFILE OF LASPOTECH 101.9 FM RADIO

After years of application, the Lagos State Polytechnic acquired the license to operate a
campus radio. The National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, granted the radio station
license to the institution and the state government for the operation has equipped the campus
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radio station (Ajayi, 2018). This was subjected to a test trial period before the NBC finally
present a certificate to the polytechnic. The Zonal Director of the Commission, Dr. Vincent
Chibuike Ogwumike, speaking on the occasion, noted that the Laspotech FM radio had a
fruitful test running process, which informed the eligibility to go full blast in their operations.
Dr. Ogwumike handed over to the Ag Rector, Mr. Olumide Metilelu, with the document
handed over the then acting rector was Codes of Conducts of the commission to further guide
the operations of the radio station. During the presentation of the certificate to the polytechnic
management, staff of the institution earmarked to work in the campus radio outfit was briefed
(Vanguard, 2020; Realnews, 2020). The pioneer station manager of Laspotech 101.9 FM is
Mrs. Bunmi-Dipo Adedoyin of the Department of Mass Communication. The campus radio is
domiciled at the CESA building in the Ikorodu campus of Lagos State Polytechnic. Today,
Laspotech 101.9 FM airs over eight various programmes on daily basis. There are over ten
anchorpersons and radio hosts working in the campus radio and many mass communication
students from various schools undergo their internship programmes in the station. Laspotech
101.9 FM operates on weekdays from 6 a.m. till late at night.

10.0 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

10.1 Development Media Theory

The theory was propounded by Denis McQuail in 1987 and emphasizes the normative
behaviour of the press in countries that are conventionally classified together as developing
countries or Third world countries. The development media theory advocates media support
for an existing political regime and its efforts to bring about national economic development
(Baran and Davis, 2003). The theory in spirit suggests that media should aid society by
supporting government development efforts. It argues that until a nation is well established
and its economic development well underway, media must be supportive rather than critical
of the government.

According to Asemah (2011, p. 152), the development media theory owes its origin to the
UNESCO’s MacBride commission set up in 1979. This theory is opposed to dependency and
foreign domination, usurpation and arbitrary authoritarianism but in tandem with economic
prosperity, political emancipation and nation-building as its cardinal objectives. The major
tenets of development media theory as succinctly captured by McQuail (1987: 121) are:

1. Media must accept and carry out positive development tasks in line with nationally
established policy.
2. Freedom of the media should be open to economic priorities and the development
needs of society.
3. Media should give priority in their content to the national culture and languages.
4. Media should give priority in news and information to link with other developing
countries, which are geographically, culturally and politically close.
5. Journalists and other media workers have the responsibilities as well as freedom in
their information gathering and dissemination tasks.
6. In the interest of development ends, the state has a right to intervene in or restrict
media operation and devices of censorship, subsidy and direct control can be justified.

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The development media theory according to Folarin (2000) cited in Anaeto, Onabajo and
Osifeso (2008) has provided bearing for the concept of development communication and
development journalism. It is used to support national development programmes like poverty
alleviation, population control, literacy, disease control, self-reliance and entrepreneurial
schemes.

11.0 DEMOCRATIC-PARTICIPANT PRESS THEORY

The democratic-participant theory advocates media support for cultural pluralism at a

grassroots level. Media are to be used to stimulate and empower pluralistic groups. The
democratic-participant theory calls for the development of innovative ‘small’ media that can
be directly controlled by group members. If they cannot afford such media, then the
government should provide them subsidies so they can do so. Government should identify
and fund existing small media and establish training programs to teach group members how
to operate small media. Baran and Davis (2012:150) assert that most Scandinavian countries
practice some form of democratic-participant theory.

This is the most recent addition to the list if normative theories; is relevant to the developed
liberal societies but has some elements of the development media theory. According to Denis
McQuail, as cited by Keane (1991), it is difficult to formulate this theory ‘partly because it
lacks full legitimization and incorporation into media institutions and partly because some of
its tenets are already to be found in some of the other theories’. In his opinion, this theory
represents a challenge to the reigning theories and merits separate identification. The main
feature of the democratic participant theory relates to the needs, interests, and aspirations of
the active receiver in a political society. It is concerned with the right to information, the right
to answer back, the right to use the means of communication for interaction in the small
settings of the community. It is argued that the media should exist primarily for the
audiences and not for media organizations and professionals.

12.0 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

The general framework of this study was premised upon the general perception of students
about their campus radio, Laspotech 101.9FM. The survey research method is considered
appropriate for this study. Hence, one important instrument of the survey method, the
questionnaire was scheduled and utilized for this study. The current number of mass
communication students of Lagos State Polytechnic as of the time of carrying out this study
constituted the population of this study because they are the closest group of students to the
campus radio and it is better to know their perception of the polytechnic’s radio before
extending the study to a broader audience.

The population of this study is Mass Communication students of Lagos State Polytechnic in
the full-time programme. As at the time of the study, the population of the full-time mass
communication students as seen in the Head of Department’s record by their levels are ND1-
186 (one hundred and eighty-six); ND2 -161 (one hundred and sixty-one); HND1-142 (one
hundred and forty two) and HND2-111 (one hundred and eleven). Giving the total number of
600 (six hundred full-time students in the department. Using probability sampling was used
to draw the sample size. The Slovins Formula for sample size was used for this study

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For the study probability-sampling technique was applied. The Slovin’s formula (Statistics,
2018), the formula is represented mathematically thus, n = N/ [1+N (e)^ 2]

where n = Sample Size

N= Population (600)

e= Sampling error (usually 0.10 or 0.05)

^= Raised to the power of.

Therefore, the sample size of the study is as follows;

n = 600/ [1+ 600 (0.05) ^ 2]

n = 600/ [1 + 600 (0.0025)]

n = 600/ [1 + 1.5]

n = 600/ 2.5

n = 240.

The study was designed to collate data to address the stated research questions. A two-part
structured questionnaire was administered to the sample size in order that a common data
reference point was obtained from the chosen respondents. From this stage, the convenient
sampling technique was used to serve the students met in each level of the department. The
questionnaires were administered face to face to the students in a full working day. Two
hundred and forty copies were distributed, and the entire copies were duly filled and returned.
The questionnaire contained 13-item questions presented in two sections, A and B. The items
in the section, section A contained the demographic variables in which respondents were to
tick the one that applies to their disposition, while section B looked at how they perceive
Laspotech 101.9 FM.

13.0 DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS

This section of the research project is dedicated to the presentation of the findings made in
the field of research. The socio-demographic data is presented in tables and pie charts as well
as answers to the research questions raised. After the answers to the research questions are
presented a detailed discussion and summary of the findings is presented.

Table 1: Rate of Response

Item Frequency Percentage

No. of distributed 240
questionnaire
No. of returned questionnaire 232 97%
Total 100%

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The mortality rate of the questionnaire is okay to work with, as there was 97% response rate

Table 2: Gender

Item Frequency Percentage

Male 76 33%
Female 156 67%
Total 232 100 %

The ratio of females to males who participated in the study is 67% to 33%. The number of
female students who participated in the survey are larger than their male counterparts because
the department if populated mostly by females.

Table 3. Level of respondents:

Item Frequency Percentage

ND I 56 24%
ND II 60 %26
HND I 56 24%
HND II 60 26%
Total 232 100%

The ND2 and HND students had an equal rate of participation in the study, as there were 26%
respectively. ND1 and NHD 1 had equal participations rate, 24%. There is almost
representatives from every levels of the students who took part in the survey.

Table [Link] bracket of respondents

Years Frequency Percentage

16-21 92 40%
22-25 108 47%
26-30 26 11%
31 above 6 3%
Total 232 101 %

About 47% of the respondents are within the age bracket of 22-25, 40% 16-21, 11% 26-30
while 3% are above 31 years old. Most of the participants are mature enough to understand
the questions they are been asked.

Table 5: Laspotech 101.9 FM is the Best Campus Radio I Have Seen

Response Frequency Percentage

Strongly agree 20 7%
Agree 122 53%
Disagree 54 23%
Strongly disagreed 8 3%
Don’t know 28 12%

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Total 232 98%

Majority of the respondents believe that Laspotech 101.9 FM as 53% agree, 23% disagree,
12% wouldn’t know while 7% strongly agreed. About sixty percent of the respondents agreed
that Laspotech 101.9 FM is the best campus radio they have seen.

Table 6: Laspotech 101.9 FM serves the needs of my campus

Response Frequency Percentage

Strongly agreed 34 15%
Agree 126 54%
Disagree 40 17%
Strongly disagreed 8 3%
Don’t know 24 10%
Total 232 99%

Most of the students believe that Laspotech 101.9 FM serves their need on campus as 54%
agreed, 17% disagree, 15% strongly agreed, 10% strongly agreed while 10% wouldn’t know.
More than half the respondents agreed that Laspotech 101.9 FM serves the campus needs.

Table 7: I will proudly wear and use branded products of Laspotech 101.9 FM

Response Frequency Percentage

Very likely 66 28%
Likely 106 46%
Not likely 50 22%
Don’t know 10 4%
Total 232 100%

A large number of the respondents are proud to identify with Laspotech 101.9 FM as most of
them would proudly wear and use branded products with the campus radio logo. 46% would
likely do, 28% would very likely do, 22% said they are not likely going to wear the campus
radio branded products while 4% wouldn’t know. More than seventy percent of the students
would identify with their campus radio brand anywhere.

Table 8: I will proudly discus Laspotech 101.9 FM in public places

Response Frequency Percentage

Very likely 70 30%
Likely 92 40%
Not likely 50 22%
Don’t know 20 9%
Total 232 101%

Over 70% of the respondents would proudly discuss Laspotech 101.9 FM in public places as
40% said they would likely do, 30% said they will very likely discus the campus FM, 22%

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said they are not likely while 9% don’t know if they would. Over seventy percent of the
students would proudly discuss their own campus radio in public places.

Table 9: I will participate in Laspotech 101.9 FM programmes

Response Frequency Percentage

Very likely 58 25%
Likely 130 56%
Not likely 32 14%
Don’t know 12 5%
Total 232 100%

If given the opportunity most of the respondents would participate in Laspotech 101.9 FM
AS 56% of them said they are likely going to participate, 25% said very likely, 14% said it is
unlikely for them to do any programme in the campus radio while 5% don’t know if they
would. There is a high tendency that more than eighty percent of the students would
participate in their campus radio programmes when given the opportunity.

Table 10: I tune in to Laspotech 101.9 FM frequently

Response Frequency Percentage

Strongly agree 36 16%
Agree 50 22%
Disagree 72 31%
Strongly disagree 12 5%
Don’t know 62 27%
Total 232 101%

There is a low number of listenership among the students of mass communication as 31%
disagreed when asked if they tune to Laspotech FM frequently, 27% wouldn’t know, 22%
agreed, 16% strongly agreed while 5% strongly disagreed. The number of students who tune
in to Laspotech 101.9 campus radio frequently is marginal, compare to the number of those
who tune in frequently.

Table 11. Among the local FM radio stations around, my favourite is…

Response Frequency Percentage

Laspo101.9 FM 100 43%
Tungba FM 62 27%
IKD FM 12 5%

Ogar FM 2 1%
None 56 24%
Total 232 100%

Laspotech 101.9 FM is popular amongst mass communication students as 43% prefer it to

other local radios, 27% prefer Tungba FM, 24%, 5% prefer IKD FM while 1% prefer Ogar
FM. however, there is a close competition with local stations like Tungba FM radio. Though
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Laspotech campus radio is still new, a reasonable number of the students prefer it to other
local radios.

Table 12: I enjoy programmes aired on Laspotech 101.9 FM

Response Frequency Percentage

Strongly agree 80 34%
Agree 60 26%
Disagree 30 13%
Strongly disagree 4 2%
Don’t know 58 25%
Total 232 100%

A good number of the respondents enjoy programmes aired on Laspotech 101.9 FM as 34%
strongly agreed, 26% agreed, 25% wouldn’t know, 13% disagreed while 2% strongly
[Link] this means is that more than half the respondents enjoy programmes aired on
Laspotech 101.9 FM.

Table 13: My favourite programme on Laspotech 101.9 FM is…

Response Frequency Percentage

Coffee with Laspo 116 50%
Laspo Connect 5 2%
Agbo Gbajumo 35 15%
Laspo Live Jist 3 1%
Entertainment Hub 60 26%
Turn up with King Tife 5 2%
Monday Korean Programme 3 1%
Make we Yarn 5 2%
Total 232 99%

Coffee with Lapo is the most preferred programme majority of the respondents listen to as
50% of them indicated, 26% prefer Entertainment Hub, 15% prefer Agba Gbajumo. The
programmes Laspo Connect, Turn up with King Tife, Make we Yarn had the same ratings by
2% respectively while Laspo Live Jist and Monday Korean programme had 1% respectively.
Coffe with Laspo is the most favourite radio show amongst the students.

Table 14: I will do anything within my capability to support Laspotech 101.9 FM

Response Frequency Percentage

Very likely 84 36%
Likely 118 51%
Not Likely 10 4%
I Don’t care 20 9%
Total 240 100%

A large number of the respondents are willing to support Laspotech 101.9 FM as 51% said
they are likely going to support the campus radio, 36% said very likely, 9% wouldn’t care
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while 4% said they are not likely going to support the campus radio. By implication, more
than eighty percent of the respondents are willing to do whatever it takes to support their own
campus radio.

13.1 Answering Research Questions

Research question 1: What is the students’ perception of Laspotech 101.9 FM?

As could be seen from their response in table 5, Laspotech students have a good perception of
their campus radio. The majority of the respondents believe that Laspotech 101.9 FM as 53%
agree, 23% disagree, 12% wouldn’t know while 7% strongly agreed. As filed in table 6, most
of the students believe that Laspotech 101.9 FM serves their needs on campus as 54% agreed,
17% disagree, 15% strongly agreed, 10% strongly agreed while 10% wouldn’t know.

Research question 2: Are the students proud of their campus radio, Laspotech 101.9 FM?

A good indication that the students are proud of their campus radio is the fact they are willing
to be publicly identified with LASPO 101.9 brand. In table 7, a large number of the
respondents are proud to identify with Laspotech 101.9 FM as most of them would proudly
wear and use branded products with the campus radio logo. 46% would likely do, 28% would
very likely do, 22% said they are not likely going to wear the campus radio branded products
while 4% wouldn’t know. Similarly, as seen in table 8, they are willing to speak about their
campus radio as Over 70% of the respondents would proudly discuss Laspotech 101.9 FM in
public places as 40% said they would likely do, 30% said they will very likely discuss the
campus FM, 22% said they are not likely while 9% don’t know if they would.

Research question 3: Do mass communication students like the programmes aired on

Laspotech 101.9 FM?

From their response, the students like Laspotech 101.9 FM and they enjoy the programmes
aired on the campus radio. As seen in table 11 Laspotech 101.9 FM is popular amongst mass
communication students as 43% prefer it to other local radios, 27% prefer Tungba FM, 24%,
5% prefer IKD FM while 1% prefer Ogar FM. however, there is a close competition with
local stations like Tungba FM radio. Responses filed in table 10 show that they somewhat
like to tune in to Laspotech 101.9 FM, however, there is a low number of listenership among
the students of mass communication as 31% disagreed when asked if they tune to Laspotech
FM frequently, 27% wouldn’t know, 22% agreed, 16% strongly agreed while 5% strongly
disagreed.

Research question 4: What is their favourite programme on Laspotech 101.9 FM:

Response of the students as filed in reveals the most preferred programmes aired on Laspo
101.9 FM in order of preferences. In table 13 Coffee with Lapo is the most preferred
programme majority of the respondents listen to as 50% of them indicated, 26% prefer
Entertainment Hub, 15% prefer Agba Gbajumo. The programmes Laspo Connect, Turn up
with King Tife, Make we Yarn had the same ratings by 2% respectively while Laspo Live Jist
and Monday Korean programme had 1% respectively

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Research question 5: Are the students willing to participate in the development of Laspotech
101.9 FM?

From their response, students of Lagos state polytechnic would do anything possible to
support the development of their campus radio. As seen in table 9, If given the opportunity
most of the respondents would participate in Laspotech 101.9 FM AS 56% of them said they
are likely going to participate, 25% said very likely, 14% said it is unlikely for them to do any
programme in the campus radio while 5% don’t know if they would. Again, as seen in table
14 a large number of the respondents are willing to support Laspotech 101.9 FM as 51% said
they are likely going to support the campus radio, 36% said very likely, 9% wouldn’t care
while 4% said they are not likely going to support the campus radio.

14.0 SUMMARY

Campus radio is college radio, university radio or student radio. It is therefore a type of radio
station that is run by the students of a college, university or other educational institutions.
Campus radio work as community radio within its campus and ensure that all its
programming are participatory, from programming ideas generation to implementation, that
is, presentation of the programmes. The study reviewed similar concepts that fall within the
scope of campus radio and focus on Lagos State Polytechnic campus radio, officially known
as Laspotech 101.9 FM. The researcher set out to find out what the mass communication
students of the polytechnic think of the station, the programme aired and if they are proud of
the station. The survey was employed as the scientific method to collect information on the
aforementioned indices. The questionnaire was distributed to two hundred and forty students
of the department and two hundred and twenty-three copies were filled and returned. Data
gathered reveals that the mass communication students of Lagos State Polytechnic, have a
favourable perception of Laspotech 101.9 FM, and they are not also proud of the campus
radio but are willing to support the station.

15.0 CONCLUSION

This study has explored the origin, importance and meaning of campus radio. In this study,
attempts have been ben to give an account of campus radio in Nigeria and estimates of the
currently approved campus radio stations in Nigeria. The study made relevant findings, which
are, would be of great help to operating and would-be campus radio in Nigeria. The study has
unravelled facts the management of Laspotech 101.9 FM would work with. From data
gathered and analysed herein, Laspotech 101.9 FM has a good reputation among students of
the polytechnic.

16.0 RECOMMENDATION

From the analysis of the Laspotech 101.9 FM and the data gathered from the students, the
following recommendation becomes necessary:

1. The management team of Laspotech 101.9 FM should launch a perception survey

among the entire departments of the polytechnic to know their views towards their
own campus radio. The findings will be of help to the management to ascertain their
immediate environment.

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2. The management team of Laspotech 101.9 FM should launch a perception survey

among listeners from around the Ikorodu community to guide them in making future
policies.
3. The call for research cannot be overemphasized, as this will help the campus radio to
not only stand out among the many local competition but also sustain itself in a highly
competitive environment. Hence, the campus radio management should launch a
study to find out the kind of programmes the students and Ikorodu community would
love to hear from the radio wave.
4. Though this was not captured in the questionnaire, some of the students the
researchers spoke to complain about how some segments of the Laspotech 101.9 FM
flagship programme is being handled. The morning programme “Coffee with Laspo”
has a newspaper review segment, which students considered too boring. According to
some of the students, the newspaper headline reviewer does not make the stories
sound interesting by the way it handles the headlines.

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