The Lagos State University (LASU) Governing Council has approved the promotion of Dr. Tunde Akanni to the rank of Professor of Journalism and Development Communication. This milestone achievement was announced on Thursday, March 27, 2025.
Prof. Tunde Akanni, a renowned journalist, media scholar, and philanthropist, has had a distinguished career spanning academia, journalism, and activism. Until his elevation, he served as an Associate Professor of Journalism at LASU’s Faculty of Communication and Media Studies and as the pioneer Director of the Digital Media Research Centre (DMRC).
Akanni’s academic credentials are impressive. He earned his first degree in English Language from the University of Ilorin at the age of 21. He then pursued further studies at the University of Leicester as a Chevening Scholar and later earned his Ph.D. in Media and Conflict Resolution Studies from the University of Ibadan. Additionally, he has attended prestigious institutions such as Columbia University and the Institute of Social Studies in The Hague (Netherlands).
With a wealth of experience in journalism, Akanni worked with notable Nigerian print media outlets, including The Punch and National Concord, in the 1980s and 1990s. He was also a prominent activist, serving as the Head of Campaigns for the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), where he advocated against military dictatorship in Nigeria.
Prof. Akanni holds significant roles in various organizations, including:
- Member, Board of Directors, Kiin Media
- Director, Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism (PTCIJ)
- International Advisory Board member, Dubawa, Nigeria’s first indigenous fact-checking organization
Colleagues and peers describe Prof. Akanni as a dedicated, resilient, disciplined, and livable scholar whose experience and wealth of knowledge have impacted many lives. His elevation to professorship is a testament to his hard work, commitment, and contributions to the field of communications.
