ASSESSING THE RELEVANCE OF MEDIA STUDIES INTEGRATION INTO THE GENERAL STUDIES CURRICULUM OF NIGERIAN COLLEGES OF EDUCATION

The increasing penetration of media technologies into all aspects of social, political, economic, and educational life has made media literacy an essential competence for citizens in the 21st century. In Nigeria, Colleges of Education are tasked with training teachers who will, in turn, shape the intellectual and civic capacities of future generations.The General Studies Education (GSE) programme is designed to provide students with broad-based knowledge and transferable skills beyond their areas of specialization. However, despite the growing influence of traditional and digital media, Media Studies has not been fully institutionalized within the GSE curriculum of many Nigerian Colleges of Education. This paper examines the relevance of introducing Media Studies into the General Studies curriculum of Nigerian Colleges of Education. Drawing on theoretical perspectives of media literacy, democratic participation, and critical pedagogy, the paper reviews relevant literature, analyzes the Nigerian educational context, and discusses the potential academic, social, and professional benefits of Media Studies integration. The study adopts a qualitative desk-based approach, relying on policy documents, scholarly literature, and empirical studies. The paper argues that integrating Media Studies into GSE would enhance students critical thinking, digital literacy, civic awareness, and employability, while also aligning teacher education with global best practices. The paper concludes with recommendations for curriculum development, policy implementation, and future research.