PATTERNS OF RESEARCH IN COMMUNICATION AND MEDIA STUDIES IN NIGERIA

The field of communication and media studies in Nigeria has experienced significant transformation over the past decade, influenced by global shifts in information technology, local socio-political dynamics, and evolving cultural narratives (Okoye, 2020; Uche, 2018). As digital platforms such as social media and online news sites increasingly mediate public discourse, scholars in Nigeria have expanded their research focus to encompass these emerging phenomena, while continuing to engage with traditional media domains like broadcasting and print journalism (Eze, 2019). The unique socio-political environment of Nigeria, characterised by democratic consolidation, periodic electoral upheavals, and a vibrant civil society, has further amplified the importance of communication research, particularly in areas such as political communication, media literacy, and development communication (Ojebuyi & Folarin, 2021). However, despite the observable increase in scholarly output, there remains a noticeable gap in systematic studies that map and evaluate the trends, thematic focuses, methodological approaches, and theoretical frameworks adopted by Nigerian communication scholars. Most existing reviews are fragmented or thematic, lacking a holistic overview that captures the structural patterns shaping the discipline.