The Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, University of Lagos (UNILAG), has mourned the passing of Professor Idowu Akanbi Sobowale, OON, a distinguished scholar, veteran journalist, astute administrator who died on October 8, 2026 at the age of 85.
In a statement by the Dean of the Faculty, Professor Oloruntola Sunday, he described Professor Sobowale, a former student, lecturer and Head of department of Mass Communication in UNILAG, as one of the foremost pioneers of Mass Communication education and practice in Nigeria.
According to Professor Sunday, Professor Sobowale was “a professor of professors, whose intellectual depth, commitment to academic excellence and dedication to mentorship helped shape the careers of numerous students and colleagues.”
The Dean noted that through Sobowale’s guidance and encouragement, many of those he mentored went on to distinguish themselves across diverse fields of endeavour, extending his influence far beyond the classroom and the institutions he served.
He recalled that the late university don pioneered the introduction of scientific public opinion polling to Nigerian journalism. This, he said, remains one of his most enduring contributions to the communication profession.
“Through his work with The Punch newspaper, he helped establish a foundation for the systematic study of public opinion in Nigeria, advancing evidence-based journalism and enriching public discourse,” he said.
“His commitment to research demonstrated the power of scholarship to inform professional practice and contribute meaningfully to society.”
Professor Sobowale’s passing according to the Dean, represents a profound loss to the University of Lagos, the Nigerian academic community and the global communication fraternity.
The Faculty stated that Professor Sobowale’s intellectual contributions, professional accomplishments and enduring commitment to the advancement of Mass Communication will remain an invaluable part of the discipline’s history and a lasting source of inspiration to scholars, journalists, students and future generations of communication professionals.
The Faculty extended its heartfelt condolences to his family, colleagues, former students, the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN), and the entire communication community.
“We pray that God grants his loved ones the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss and that his remarkable legacy continues to illuminate the path for generations to come. May his soul rest in perfect peace.”
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