Pioneer Media Scholar And Veteran Journalist Professor Idowu Sobowale Dies At 85
LAGOS, NIGERIA — Professor Idowu Akanbi Sobowale, a titan of African communication scholarship and a trailblazer of modern journalism in Nigeria, has passed away at the age of 85.
His family confirmed in a statement on Thursday morning, October 8, 2026, that the veteran academic and statesman died peacefully, describing his transition as a “glorious home call.”
Affectionately known as “ID Noble” in media circles, Professor Sobowale left an indelible mark on Nigerian public life. He began his career as a hard-nosed journalist, working at the Daily Times and Evening Times before helping revolutionise political reporting at The Punch by introducing scientific opinion polling.
Transitioning fully into academia, Sobowale became one of the continent’s most cited media authorities. He was the pioneer Dean of the Lagos State University School of Communication (LASUSOC) and taught generations of journalists at the University of Lagos and Olabisi Onabanjo University. His lifelong commitment to media development was recently immortalised by Caleb University, which named its Faculty of Communication and Media Studies in his honour.
Beyond the newsroom and lecture halls, Sobowale was a dedicated public servant. He served as a Special Adviser on Education to former Lagos State Governor Alhaji Lateef Jakande, and later returned to public service under Bola Ahmed Tinubu, eventually becoming the Lagos State Commissioner for Education. His immense contributions to the nation earned him the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON).
Tributes have already begun pouring in from the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals in Nigeria (ACSPN) and media executives, who have collectively mourned the loss of a foundational pillar of Nigerian media history.
The family announced that details of his funeral arrangements will be made public shortly.
