Crest FM Academy Strengthening Nigeria’s Broadcasting Workforce – Provost
Crest FM Academy, the training arm of Crest 106.1 FM Akure, Ondo State, has produced over 300 graduates since it commenced operations in 2021.
The academy disclosed this at its 2025 graduation ceremony held on Thursday in Akure, where a fresh batch of trainees completed programmes in broadcasting, media production, presentation, newsroom operations, and digital content creation.
Speaking at the event, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Cresthills Media, Prince Ade Adekanmbi, described the milestone as a reflection of the station’s commitment to building skilled manpower for Nigeria’s broadcasting and creative industries.
Mr Adekanmbi noted that Crest FM, which is gradually expanding its broadcast reach across the Southwest with a branch in Oyo State, has remained focused on hands-on, industry-driven training tailored to the evolving needs of radio and digital media.
He charged the new graduates to uphold the ethics of journalism, warning them against compromising their conscience under any guise.
“You must imbibe the ability to stand on your own. Today, many people operate on different online platforms and are doing well. You have heard about guerrilla journalism and welfare. Your practice after graduation must be anchored on truth.
“We need journalists who can uphold ethics and analytical policies, speak truth to power, and stand with the masses, who are most affected by government policies,” Adekanmbi said.
At the event, the chairman also announced the launch of a Crest FM Academy Fans Club, which he said would serve as a community platform for listeners and supporters to participate in outreach programmes, social activities, training support initiatives, and promotional events.
According to him, the fans club will promote youth participation in broadcasting, provide mentorship opportunities, and support the academy’s talent development programmes.
Earlier, a guest lecturer and veteran broadcaster, Mrs Bisi Adanri, delivered a lecture titled “Navigating the Challenges of Misinformation Amidst the Prevalence of Financial Intelligence.”
Adanri advocated the deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI) not merely as a tool for digital creation but as a defence mechanism against misinformation and deepfakes.
He stressed the need to harness AI systems proactively to strengthen evidence-based reporting and ensure credible information reaches the public.
She explained that AI could be used to detect synthetic media, identify coordinated disinformation networks, and flag misleading content in real time.
Adanri further warned that the challenge of AI-driven misinformation extends beyond newsrooms to the education sector, noting that students increasingly struggle to distinguish credible sources amid a surge of AI-generated content.
“As a playwright and novelist, I know every story carries a moral compass. Theatre teaches that illusion can reveal truth, but deception must never masquerade as reality. In broadcasting, credibility is earned through consistency, accuracy, and accountability,” she said.
She called for accountability from technology companies to label synthetic content, encouraged collaboration among journalists, educators, and technologists, and urged investment in investigative reporting while resisting clickbait journalism.
Also speaking, the Group Chief Operating Officer of Cresthills Media, Mr Adeolu Gboyega, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to expanding the academy’s programmes, upgrading facilities, and strengthening partnerships within the media and creative sectors.
Earlier, the pioneer Provost of Crest Media Academy and Head of Business Development, Ms Temitope Dare, disclosed that more than 300 students have been enrolled, mentored, and graduated since the academy began close to four years.
“So far, we have enrolled, graduated, and mentored over 300 students from the Crest Media Academy,” she said.
Dare explained that the academy blends classroom instruction with intensive studio practice, offering trainees real-time exposure to broadcasting equipment, live programmes, and newsroom routines.
One of the graduates, Adekunle Babatunde, expressed appreciation to the academy for equipping participants with practical skills and confidence, describing the training as a solid foundation for careers in media and communication.