ASSESSMENT OF MEDIA LITERACY SKILLS OF STUDENTS OF CRESCENT UNIVERSITY, ABEOKUTA

ABSTRACT This study explores the media literacy skills of undergraduate students at Crescent University, Abeokuta, Nigeria, in the context of a rapidly evolving digital landscape. As social media becomes a primary source of news and information for young people, the ability to critically assess and interpret media content has become increasingly vital. The research aimed to evaluate students’ media consumption habits, their capacity to identify misinformation, and their ability to critically interpret and engage with media messages. A survey research design was employed, using stratified random sampling to select 100 participants from various departments. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and analyzed quantitatively. Findings revealed that although students are actively engaged with digital media platforms, many lack critical skills such as source verification, content evaluation, and awareness of media bias. The study highlights the urgent need for formal media literacy education within Nigerian tertiary institutions to foster responsible media consumption, critical thinking, and informed civic participation. It recommends integrating media literacy into the university curriculum and providing students with practical training on how to assess, analyze, and create media content effectively. These efforts are essential to developing a generation of digitally literate individuals capable of navigating the complexities of today’s media ecosystem.