Radio Listenership and Level of Educational Policy Awareness of the Federal Government of Nigeria Among Students of Federal Polytechnic Offa

Educational policies are pivotal in shaping national development by providing frameworks for decision-making and implementation within the educational sector. However, in Nigeria, these policies often encounter implementation challenges, leading to significant disparities between policy objectives and outcomes. This study explores the connection between radio listenership habits and students' awareness of federal educational policies, focusing on the Mass Communication and Science Laboratory Technology (SLT) departments at the Federal Polytechnic Offa. It investigates how radio serves as an educational tool to bridge information gaps and highlights the constraints in policy implementation, including insufficient resources and inadequate communication strategies. The research employs a descriptive survey design, analyzing data collected from 370 students, a sample derived from a total population of 5,000 using Taro Yamane’s formula. Structured questionnaires, complemented by observational techniques, were used to gather primary data. Analysis through simple percentages and chi-square methods revealed that students primarily engage with radio for informational and entertainment purposes, preferring mobile phones as their listening medium.
The study underscores the critical role of radio in fostering awareness and understanding of educational policies among students. It highlights the importance of tailoring radio programs to meet the interests and needs of the youth demographic. Recommendations include enhancing program diversity, reducing broadcast interruptions, and promoting youth-centric discussions to improve engagement. By integrating theoretical perspectives like structural-functionalism, agenda-setting, priming, and cultivation theories, the study provides a comprehensive understanding of media influence on public perception and policy awareness. These insights are valuable for educators, policymakers, and media practitioners in optimizing radio programming and ensuring effective communication of educational policies to the target audience.