Nigerian Media Community Mourns Mass Communication Pioneer Idowu Sobowale at 85

Nigeria’s media and academic communities are mourning Professor Idowu Akanbi Sobowale, a pioneering communication scholar, veteran journalist and former Lagos State Commissioner for Education, who died on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at the age of 85.

His death was announced in a statement issued by a family member, Dr Akinniyi I. Sowunmi, who described his passing as a significant loss to the communication community, particularly the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN).

Fondly known among colleagues as “ID Noble”, Sobowale was widely recognised for his contributions to journalism, communication research and media education. He was particularly noted for introducing scientific public opinion polling into Nigerian journalism, helping to strengthen data-driven reporting.

Born on March 29, 1941, in Ashipa village near Abeokuta, Ogun State, Sobowale began his journalism career at the Daily Times before studying Mass Communication at the University of Lagos (UNILAG). He later earned a PhD in Scientific Journalism from Syracuse University in the United States in 1978.

After returning to Nigeria, he established a public opinion polling desk at The Punch newspaper. The first results from the initiative were published in April 1979, marking a significant development in the use of opinion surveys in Nigerian journalism.

His career in academia spanned several institutions. He served as a lecturer and acting head of the Department of Mass Communication at UNILAG before becoming a Professor of Communication Studies at Lagos State University (LASU). He also served as the pioneer Dean of LASU’s School of Communication from 2004 to 2007.

Sobowale contributed to the establishment of LASU in 1983 and helped develop communication programmes at other Nigerian universities, including Olabisi Onabanjo University and Caleb University. Caleb University later named its Faculty of Communication and Media Studies in his honour.

Beyond journalism and academia, he held key public service positions. He served as Special Adviser on Education to former Lagos State Governor Lateef Jakande before becoming Commissioner for Education under the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu from 1999 to 2003.

In recognition of his contributions to national development, former President Olusegun Obasanjo conferred on him the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON). He also received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 23rd Diamond Awards for Media Excellence.

Sobowale was a prominent figure in the ACSPN, where he served as Chairman of its Board of Trustees. In recognition of his contributions to communication scholarship, the association established the biennial Idowu Sobowale International Conference.

His professional journey was documented in his autobiography, Unexpected Turns, which chronicled his rise from a rural community in Ogun State to becoming one of Nigeria’s notable figures in journalism and communication education.

The family said details of his funeral arrangements would be announced in due course.

His death marks a significant loss to Nigeria’s media and academic communities. His legacy includes advancing scientific opinion polling, strengthening communication scholarship and mentoring generations of journalists, academics and communication practitioners.