Idowu Sobowale Former Lagos Commissioner
In short
Professor Idowu Akanbi Sobowale was a distinguished mass communication scholar, veteran journalist, and former Lagos State Commissioner for Education who passed away at the age of 85 in October 2026.
In plain words
He was a highly respected teacher and media expert in Nigeria. He served in the government as a commissioner and spent much of his career at the University of Lagos.
A simple example
As a commissioner, he helped manage the education system in Lagos State, and as a scholar, he taught many future journalists.
Why it matters
His death is seen as a major loss to Nigerian media studies and academia. Leaders across the country, including President Tinubu, have recognised his lifelong contribution to communication.
Easy to mix up
Do not confuse him with other academics or politicians sharing the same surname in the Nigerian civil service.