Daud Olatunji
Former Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has mourned the death of renowned communication scholar, veteran journalist and former Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Professor Idowu Sobowale, describing his passing as a major loss to Nigeria’s media, academic and education sectors.
Sobowale reportedly died on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at the age of 85.
Amosun, in a condolence statement issued by his media office, said the late professor made outstanding contributions to journalism practice, communication scholarship and education administration in Nigeria.
He described Sobowale as a distinguished professional whose career, spanning journalism, academia and public service, left a lasting impact on the country.
The former governor particularly recalled Sobowale’s contributions to the development of Nigerian journalism during his years at the Daily Times of Nigeria Limited, where he worked as a war correspondent and assistant editor between 1964 and 1975.
According to Amosun, the late scholar was instrumental in introducing opinion polling into Nigerian media practice, helping to broaden the tools available for reporting public opinion and political developments.
Beyond his journalism career, Sobowale established himself as a respected academic and professor of journalism, mentoring generations of students and scholars through his teaching, research and intellectual contributions.
He also played a significant role in the development of communication scholarship in Nigeria through the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria, where he served as chairman and later Life Chairman of the Board of Trustees.
Amosun noted that Sobowale’s contributions extended beyond the newsroom and university environment, recalling his service as Lagos State Commissioner for Education between 1999 and 2003.
The late scholar was a recipient of the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger and the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 23rd Diamond Awards for Media Excellence.
Amosun also paid tribute to Sobowale’s personal qualities, recalling their relationship as neighbours in the Gbagada area of Lagos State during the late 1980s and early 1990s.
“On a more personal note, I remember Prof. Idowu Sobowale as a man of noble character—friendly, accommodating and always pleasant to be with,” he said.
He added that Sobowale demonstrated these qualities during their encounters, stressing that his death was not only a loss to the media and academic communities but also to those who knew him personally.
“His passing is therefore not only a loss to the media and academic communities, but also a personal loss to those of us who had the privilege of knowing him beyond his professional accomplishments,” Amosun said.
The former governor extended his condolences to the deceased’s wife, children and other family members, as well as colleagues in journalism, communication scholarship and the wider academic community.
He prayed that Almighty God would grant the late professor eternal rest and give his family, friends, colleagues and associates the strength to bear the loss.
Sobowale’s death marks the loss of a figure whose professional journey connected newsroom practice, university teaching and public administration, with contributions that helped shape journalism and communication education in Nigeria.
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