President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Professor Idowu Akanbi Sobowale, a renowned mass communication scholar and former Lagos State Commissioner for Education. Sobowale passed away at the age of 85, leaving behind a legacy of contributions to journalism education and empirical research. Tinubu described his passing as a monumental loss to Nigeria's academic and media communities.
Tinubu recalled Sobowale's outstanding service as special adviser and education commissioner in Lagos State, where he discharged his responsibilities with distinction. He also acknowledged Sobowale's pioneering work in evidence-based journalism, which shaped generations of media professionals. According to Tinubu, Sobowale's contributions to journalism went beyond classroom teaching, as he championed applying scientific methods to understanding public opinion and political developments in Nigeria.
One of Sobowale's notable achievements was leading the country's first nationwide opinion poll that predicted the outcome of the 1979 elections. Tinubu stated that it was no surprise Sobowale led this effort, given his emphasis on empirical evidence over opinion as a journalism educator. This poll demonstrated Sobowale's commitment to promoting evidence-based research and professional ethics in journalism.
Tinubu also extended his condolences to the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN), where Sobowale served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees. He acknowledged the late scholar's immense contributions to the association's growth and his enduring commitment to strengthening the relationship between academic scholarship and professional journalism practice.
The President noted that Sobowale's influence extended across generations of journalists, communication scholars, and media practitioners who benefited from his teaching, research, and professional guidance. His passing represents a significant loss not only to his immediate family and associates but also to the wider academic community and the Nigerian media industry.
Tinubu urged Sobowale's family, professional colleagues, former students, and associates to draw consolation from his remarkable record of service to education, journalism, and national development. He commiserated with them and urged them to find comfort in Sobowale's legacy of service, scholarship, and mentorship.
In his condolence message, Tinubu described Sobowale as an outstanding intellectual whose dedication to scholarship, mentorship, and ethical journalism helped establish enduring standards for mass communication education in Nigeria. The President concluded by saying, "May his soul rest in perfect peace."
Key points
- President Tinubu pays tribute to late Professor Idowu Akanbi Sobowale
- Sobowale pioneered evidence-based journalism in Nigeria
- Sobowale led the country's first nationwide opinion poll that predicted the 1979 election outcome
