'Beyond Akara and Kulikuli': Trending National Debate Makes Nigerian University Examination

 'Beyond Akara and Kulikuli': Trending National Debate Makes Nigerian University Examination

The nationwide conversation surrounding First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu's remarks on "Akara and Kulikuli" has found its way into the classroom, with a Nigerian university featuring the topic in one of its second-semester examination questions.

An examination paper from the Department of Mass Communication, Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU), Kogi State, challenged students to develop an advocacy advertisement titled "Beyond Akara and Kulikuli Empowerment."

The question asked students to write an advertising copy aimed at encouraging Nigerian women and youths to embrace small-scale businesses. Candidates were also required to identify factors to consider in copywriting, discuss body copy styles, justify their preferred style, and produce a sketch of the advertisement.

The inclusion of the topic comes amid widespread public discussions following comments by the First Lady, who highlighted businesses such as akara, kulikuli, and roasted corn as examples of ventures that require relatively little capital to start.

Her remarks have sparked mixed reactions across Nigeria. While some Nigerians view them as an encouragement for entrepreneurship and self-reliance, others argue that the comments do not adequately address broader concerns about unemployment and the country's economic challenges.

By incorporating the issue into an examination, the university appears to be using a contemporary national conversation as a practical case study to assess students' understanding of advertising copywriting and advocacy communication.

The examination demonstrates how current affairs increasingly shape academic assessments, particularly in disciplines such as Mass Communication, where students are expected to apply communication theories and creative writing skills to real-world events.

The development has also generated discussion on social media, with many Nigerians noting how quickly trending national issues can become part of academic learning and evaluation.