Former Lagos State Commissioner for Education and renowned communication scholar, Professor Idowu Sobowale, has died at the age of 85.
Sobowale died on Thursday morning, October 8, 2026, his family announced.
His son, Richard Sobowale, confirmed the death in a statement, saying the family would announce details of the funeral arrangements later.
“My father, Pa Deacon Professor Idowu Akanbi Sobowale, OON, 85, joined the saints triumphant this morning, October 8, 2026. Details of his funeral rites to be announced by the family soon,” he said.
Sobowale began his journalism career with Daily Times after the newspaper’s former chairman, Babatunde Jose, employed him.
He later earned a Diploma and BA (Hons) in Mass Communication from the University of Lagos, where he subsequently worked as an assistant lecturer.
He moved to the United States for further studies and obtained a PhD in Scientific Journalism from Syracuse University in 1978.
The late professor also played a significant role in Nigerian journalism and public opinion research. He established a public opinion polling desk at The Punch Newspapers, with the newspaper publishing its first poll results in April 1979.
At the University of Lagos, Sobowale twice served as acting head of the Department of Mass Communication and contributed to the conceptualisation of Lagos State University in 1983.
He later joined LASU as a Professor of Communication Studies and served as the pioneer Dean of its School of Communication from 2004 to 2007.
Sobowale also served as Dean at Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, and Caleb University, Imota, Lagos.
In recognition of his contributions to communication education, Caleb University named its Faculty of Communication and Media Studies after him.
Beyond academia and journalism, Sobowale played a role in Lagos State’s public administration. He served as Special Adviser on Education to former Lagos State Governor Lateef Jakande before becoming Commissioner for Education under Bola Tinubu from 1999 to 2003.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo later honoured him with the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON).
Sobowale also served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria.
The association established the biennial Idowu Sobowale International Conference in recognition of his contributions to communication scholarship and professional development.
His death marks the end of a career that spanned journalism, academia, public service and communication scholarship.
The Sobowale family said it would announce details of his funeral rites in due course.
