- Safiu Kehinde
The Lagos State University (LASU) has elevated one of its senior lecturers Dr. Tunde Akanni PhD to full professorship in Journalism and Development Communication.
The institution approved Akanni’s elevation to full professor on Thursday.
Prior to his elevation, the don was an Associate Professor of Journalism in the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies at LASU where he also serves as the pioneer Director of the Digital Media Research Centre (DMRC).
Akanni is a Nigerian journalist, media scholar, and development expert who holds a PhD from the University of Ibadan and has studied at prestigious institutions such as Columbia University (USA), the University of Leicester (UK), and the Institute of Social Studies in The Hague (Netherlands).
According to report, his educational journey began with a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree in English from the University of Ilorin in 1986.
Professionally, Akanni has extensive experience in journalism and development work. He worked with leading Nigerian print media outlets like The Punch and National Concord during the 1980s and 1990s, rising to the position of Acting Features Editor at the latter.
The military government’s proscription of Concord titles in 1994 led to his transitioning into activism, serving as the Head of Campaigns for the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), where he advocated against military dictatorship in Nigeria.
His career has since spanned both governmental and non-governmental sectors, including international consultancy roles with organisations like UNDP, DFID, Internews, and Friends of the Earth.
Akanni widely gain recognition for his contributions to media scholarship and practice. He is a prolific writer, published both locally and internationally, and serves as a public affairs commentator. His accolades include being a distinguished British Chevening Scholar and a recipient of the Netherlands NUFFIC Fellowship.
He holds significant roles such as a director at the Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism (PTCIJ) and an International Advisory Board member of Dubawa, Nigeria’s first indigenous fact-checking organisation.
Akanni remains active in the media and academic spheres, often engaging with contemporary issues through his work and commentary.