The seed of the Association of Communication Scholars & Professional of Nigeria (ACSPN) was sown during the 1st International Conference for Media Educators held at Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria from May 3-4, 2012.
On Day 1 of the conference, Prof Dayo Alao of Babcock University who was the convener of the workshop told the meeting he desired an association of media educators which would drive issues of curriculum and coordinate efforts to give the professions of mass communication a clear and coordinated direction in Nigeria.
He was supported by Prof Idowu Sobowale on the need for such an association and the two of them requested Prof Nosa Owens-Ibie to take-up the challenge of actualising the dream. A team of five volunteers led by Prof Owens-Ibie and consisting Helen O.C. Ambassador-Brikins, Dr Ayotunde Alao, Bashiru Amoda Ajijola and Adebola Aderibigbe was set-up to provide a framework.
The team later briefed the meeting that the association should not be limited to educators or lecturers but that the scope is broadened to accommodate other players in the field.
The name Communication Association of Nigeria (CANI) was tentatively proposed and accepted by participants.
At the next meeting hosted by Caleb University, Imota, Lagos on July 5, 2012, participants opted for two possible names for the association with the greater number preferring Nigeria Communication Association (NCA) with CANI as the second choice. Another committee chaired by Prof Owens-Ibie and consisting Dr Victor Ayedun Aluma, Dr. Ismail Ibraheem (Secretary), Prof Daniel Olawale Awodiya, Dr Ayobami Ojebode and Mr Achike Chuks Okafo was set up to facilitate the registration of the association. Mrs Ijeoma Onyeator was requested to handle the financials after participants donated various amounts to support the plan.
On December 19, 2012, Babcock University again hosted the association. The meeting voted for the membership of the Board of Trustees (BOT) and the executive led by Prof Lai Oso and produced a constitution based on a draft developed by Dr Kayode Okunade, and a Profile for the association.
At the next meeting hosted by Adebola Adegunwa School of Communication, Lagos State University on February 6, 2013, the challenges experienced in attempts to register the association at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) was discussed. Participants agreed on the theme of an Inaugural Conference, a new journal, a review of the Profile of the association, and identified teams to develop relevant proposals. Follow-up with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) was to be done based on information on what was required. Prof Lai Oso became more involved as the struggle to register became more intense
On May 31, 2013 a CANI Team including Prof Lai Oso, Prof Kate Omenugha, Dr Balarabe Maikaba, Dr Victor Ayedun-Aluma and Dr Ismail Ibraheem facilitated a panel presentation on Nigeria at the “Rethinking Media and Journalism Practice Conference”, University of Winchester, UK. Dr Oluyinka Esan, CANI member, was one of the coordinators of the conference.
After a protracted process during which the name Association of Communication Scholars & Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN) was eventually accepted by the CAC after other options including NCA and CANI were rejected, a Certificate of Incorporation dated November 12, 2013 was issued to the association. The news got to the Secretariat by December 28, 2013 and was emailed on December 30, 2013.
The maiden General Meeting of ACSPN held on February 7, 2014 at Lagos Television, Ikeja, Lagos with Shola Hassan and Yinka Kadri hosting, and Prof Sobowale, Chairman, BOT, presiding.
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