Professor Idowu Akanbi Sobowale, a renowned communication scholar and veteran member of Nigeria’s media and communication community, has died at the age of 85.
Sobowale died on Thursday morning, October 8, 2026, according to a statement issued by a member of his family, Akinniyi Sowunmi.
Sowunmi announced the death in a statement titled “Transition to Glory,” describing the passing as a major loss to Nigeria’s communication community, particularly members of the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals in Nigeria (ACSPN).
“Our father, Pa Deacon Professor Idowu Akanbi Sobowale, OON, 85, joined the saints triumphant this morning, October 8, 2026.”
The family said details of his funeral arrangements would be announced later.
Sobowale was widely recognised for his contributions to journalism, communication research and education in Nigeria. He was a former lecturer at the University of Lagos and later became a professor of journalism at Lagos State University, where he served as the pioneer Dean of the School of Communication from 2004 to 2007.
He was also known for pioneering opinion polling and precision journalism in Nigeria. After obtaining his PhD from Syracuse University in 1978, he established a public opinion polling desk at The Punch newspaper.
Beyond academia and journalism, Sobowale served in the Lagos State Government, first as Special Adviser on Education to the administration of former Governor Lateef Jakande and later as Commissioner for Education between 1999 and 2003.
For his contributions to national development, he was honoured with the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) in 2006.
His death marks the loss of one of the veteran figures who helped shape Nigeria’s journalism and communication scholarship over several decades.