Measured Growth in Theatre and Media Arts Department of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Nigeria

The Department of Theatre and Media Arts, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma (DTMA-AAU) took off as Theatre Arts Department in the 1996/1997 academic session as a unit under the Department of English. Since then no historical evaluation or critical study has been carried out on it with regard to quality assurance or service delivery in the areas of teaching, learning and research as a rib of humanistic study. Given such a scenario, certain facts may be lost to history and fundamental values ignored, if issues are not put under the arc light to get apposite perspectives, which may redound to national development. It is in view of this that this article employs historical-analytic and evaluative approaches to examine the state of affairs in the DTMA-AAU since its creation, and related issues in the Nigerian university system, with a view to improving the lot of theatre and media arts studies as an academic field in Nigeria. The study observes that poor funding, derisory human and material resources constitute the main challenges that the DTMA-AAU is confronted with. Consequently, the article argues that there is the need to improve on funding, staffing, infrastructure and curriculum design to reflect current trends in theatre and media arts studies. It further contends that, among other things, DTMA-AAU stakeholders, with the support of the Ambrose Alli University authorities should review the theatre and media arts studies programme to allow for the creation of the Faculty of Creative Arts (FCA), which would then be put before the National University Commission (NUC) for further review and possible implementation in the Nigerian university system. Such a deliberate effort will provide robust templates for more effective teaching, learning and research activities in the multifaceted discipline. In this way, viable degree options of radio and television studies, children dramatics, print media, costume and make up studies, dance studies, music, graphics and animation, theatre and cultural management, film studies, dramatic arts, etc, would have been given a lifeline to flourish. Apart from helping to equip students on the programme with marketable skills and multi-talent competencies, which are required of them in an increasingly competitive and knowledge-based society, an enforced FCA regime is expected to strengthen the Entrepreneurship Studies (ES) course that every Nigerian undergraduate is now expected to offer. As well, the internally generated revenue (IGR) drive of the Nigerian university system would have be bolstered because a well primed FCA will be the hub of  creative and entertainment industries in Nigeria.