By Habeeb Ibrahim
On April 19, 2024, at the Jesse Auditorium, University of Missouri-Columbia celebrated its 97th Tap Day, honoring exceptional individuals, including Lagos State University Graduate and Nigerian journalist Oduolowu Damilola, who was selected for the Rollins Society Class of 2024.
Damilola met the stringent criteria for induction, joining eight other graduates and professional students renowned for exemplifying the society’s core values of Duty, Faithfulness, and Leadership. The Rollins Society stands as one of Mizzou’s six secret honorary societies, alongside Omicron Delta Kappa, LSV, Mortar Board, QEBH, and Mystical Seven.
Sharing his elation on Facebook, Damilola expressed, “I’m honored to be tapped into the Rollins Society Class of 2024 at the University of Missouri-Columbia’s 97th Tap Day. The Rollins Society recognizes the commitment to Duty, Faithfulness, and Leadership demonstrated by eight graduate and professional students.”
Damilola boasts an illustrious career in multimedia journalism, having served as a Senior Journalist Reporter for the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) World Service in Nigeria. His repertoire spans across TV, radio, and digital platforms, showcasing his versatility and expertise in storytelling.
Prior to his BBC tenure, Damilola started out with BlackBox Nigeria before spending four impactful years at Nigeria’s TVC News, where he served as a reporter and program producer. Notable among his achievements was co-producing Nigeria’s premier breakfast television show, Wake Up Nigeria, and leading the development and production of several programs.
With over nine years of professional journalism experience, Damilola has played a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of journalists. He holds a Master’s degree in Mass Communication from the University of Lagos and a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication (broadcasting specialization) from Lagos State University School of Communication. Currently pursuing his doctoral degree at the Missouri School of Journalism, Damilola remains deeply committed to the field of journalism.
Damilola’s contributions to the field have earned him accolades, including the Lagos Youth Award for Media in 2022. He continues to mentor aspiring multimedia journalists, with many of his mentees achieving significant milestones in their careers worldwide.
