Professor Idowu Akanbi Sobowale, a veteran journalist, communication scholar and former public servant, has died at the age of 85.
Sobowale died on Thursday morning, October 8, 2026, according to a statement by a member of his family, Akinniyi Sowunmi.
Sowunmi announced the death in a statement titled “Transition to Glory”, describing the late professor as a major loss to Nigeria’s communication community.
“This is a very sad day for us in the Communication Community in Nigeria and especially for us at the Association of Communication Scholars & Professionals in Nigeria. Our father, Pa Deacon Professor Idowu Akanbi Sobowale, OON, 85, joined the saints triumphant this morning, October 8, 2026,” he said.
The family said details of the funeral arrangements would be announced later.
Born on January 4, 1941, in Ashipa near Abeokuta, Ogun State, Sobowale overcame humble beginnings to establish a distinguished career in journalism, communication scholarship, teaching and public service.
He did not enter formal education until 1954. After attending Lagos Baptist Academy, where he completed his secondary education in 1964, he briefly worked as a health inspector with the Lagos City Council.
His career took a decisive turn following an encounter with Bisi Onabanjo, an old student of the Baptist Academy, who introduced him to veteran journalist Babatunde Jose. Jose subsequently employed him at the Daily Times.
Sobowale was among the pioneer students of the Daily Times Training School. Although the programme was designed to last 12 months, his outstanding performance earned him an early recommendation for newsroom deployment by the school's Australian director, Leslie W. Riley.
He later studied Mass Communication at the University of Lagos, obtaining a Diploma and BA (Hons) degree.
In 1975, he returned to the University of Lagos as an assistant lecturer at the Institute of Mass Communication. He subsequently proceeded to Syracuse University in the United States for postgraduate studies and returned in 1978 with a PhD in precision or scientific journalism.
One of Sobowale's notable contributions to Nigerian journalism was his pioneering work in opinion polling.
While at the University of Lagos, he established a Public Opinion Polling Desk at The Punch under the leadership of Sam Amuka. The findings of the desk's first surveys were published in the newspaper on April 11, 1979.
Beyond academia and journalism, Sobowale also participated in public administration. He served as special assistant to former Lagos State Governor Lateef Jakande and later became Commissioner for Education under Governor Bola Tinubu.
He was appointed Professor of Journalism at Lagos State University, an institution he helped establish in 1983.
On September 29, 2005, Sobowale delivered his inaugural lecture, titled “Opinion Polling in Nigeria: The Neglected Route to National Development”.
He served as Dean of the Adebola Adegunwa School of Communication at Lagos State University and later helped develop the postgraduate Mass Communication programme at Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State.
His contributions to journalism and communication education earned him the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Sobowale was also recognised for mentoring generations of journalists, academics and communication professionals who went on to occupy positions across Nigeria's media and communication industry.
His contribution to media development was further recognised with the 23rd DAME Lifetime Achievement Award.
The award citation noted his lifelong commitment to media development and his role in producing hundreds of scholars who subsequently took up positions of responsibility in the communication industry.
Sobowale's death comes at a time when the Nigerian journalism and communication community was preparing to honour his contribution to the profession through the DAME Lifetime Achievement Award.
He is survived by his family. Details of his funeral rites are expected to be announced by the family.
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