Media chief warns traditional radio stations against dull content

Vice Chancellor Lagos State University Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello (Middle) flanked by management and staff of LASU Radio 95.7fm. Credit: LASU Radio

A media executive, Mr Femi Obong-Daniels, has warned that radio stations risk becoming irrelevant if they fail to adapt to changing audience habits in the digital era, stressing that the biggest threat to the industry is not social media but uninspiring content. Obong-Daniels, who is the General Manager of Cool FM, Wazobi FM and Nigeria Info, made the assertion on Monday while delivering a keynote address at the 10th anniversary celebration of LASU Radio 95.7FM, the campus radio station of Lagos State University. The event, held at the Femi Gbajabiamila Conference Centre on the university’s main campus in Ojo, Lagos, brought together broadcast industry leaders, academics, students and media professionals to discuss the future of campus broadcasting in a rapidly evolving digital environment. Speaking on the theme, “Campus Radio in the Digital Era: Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of LASU Radio,” Obong-Daniels said radio must evolve beyond traditional terrestrial broadcasting if it hopes to remain relevant in an age dominated by digital platforms. The keynote address was delivered on his behalf by Mr Chuma Nnoli, Head of Sports at Cool FM, Wazobia FM and Nigeria Info. “The biggest question facing radio globally today is whether radio can still matter in the digital era. My answer is simple: yes, but only if radio understands that the world has changed permanently,” he said. According to him, the rise of social media platforms, podcasting, streaming services and artificial intelligence has fundamentally altered how audiences consume information and entertainment. “The real threat to radio is not social media; it is boring radio. The danger is not digital media; the danger is irrelevant broadcasting,” he stated. He noted that modern radio stations must transform into multimedia content hubs capable of engaging audiences across various digital platforms. “Radio can no longer exist only on radio. A modern radio station is now a content ecosystem, a social media brand, a podcast platform, a livestream hub, a community builder and a digital conversation engine,” he added. Related News Knocks as NISO disowns popular “Nigeria National Grid” X account Police debunk viral video claiming Gombe youths mobilising to fight insurgents AI-driven fake news, deepfakes threaten national security, group warns Obong-Daniels described campus radio stations as critical training grounds for the next generation of journalists, b