STUDENTS’ PERCEPTION OF NBTE’ UNBUNDLING POLICY: A STUDY OF MASS COMMUNICATION PROGRAMME IN SELECT INSTITUTION

This study investigates students’ perception of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) unbundling policy, specifically within the Mass Communication program in selected institutions in Kwara State, Nigeria. The unbundling policy restructures the broad Mass Communication curriculum into specialized disciplines such as Journalism, Public Relations, Advertising, and Film Production. The aim is to enhance skill development, align with industry demands, and improve employability. Using a mixed-method approach, the research incorporates survey questionnaires and in-depth interviews to assess students' awareness, understanding, and perceptions of the policy's implications. Findings reveal that students have moderate to high awareness of the policy, largely influenced by media and institutional communications. While students acknowledge the potential benefits of specialization for career readiness and industry alignment, concerns are raised about implementation challenges. These include resource inadequacies, lack of infrastructure, and insufficiently trained lecturers for specialized courses. Furthermore, students emphasize the need for clearer communication and gradual implementation to ensure a smooth transition. The study concludes that while the unbundling policy is a step toward modernizing technical education, its success depends on addressing identified challenges through adequate funding, stakeholder engagement, and the integration of emerging industry trends. Keywords: NBTE, Unbundling policy, Mass Communication, Curriculum reform, Students’ perception, Employability.