Lagos State University (LASU) academic Tunde Akanni has been admitted as a Fellow of the Society for Peace Studies and Practice (SPSP), an honour that recognises his work in journalism and conflict-sensitive communication.
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LASU Professor Admitted at SPSP Conference in Ibadan
Professor Akanni, a lecturer in Journalism within the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies at LASU, was admitted as a fellow at the 20th International Conference and General Assembly of the society, hosted by Lead City University in Ibadan from 5 to 9 October 2026.
According to accounts of the investiture, the honour recognises what he has contributed to journalism, development communication and conflict-sensitive communication.
FCCPC Congratulates Akanni
Mr Akanni is presently on sabbatical from the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), which also sent its congratulations on the recognition.
The commission's letter, which bears the date 7 October 2026, described the recognition as evidence of his accomplishments in the scholarly study of journalism and of his commitment to reporting that is sensitive to conflict.
Yisau Adepoju, who heads the FCCPC's Administration Department, signed the letter on behalf of Olatunji Bello, the commission's Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. It observed that Mr Akanni had repeatedly shown devotion to communication for development and to its power to bring about social change.
Describing the honour as “timely and richly deserved”, the commission voiced its belief that Mr Akanni would keep making contributions to Nigeria and to scholars around the world.
“This notable landmark offers plain evidence of the praiseworthy academic work you have done in journalism. As a dedicated practitioner and distinguished scholar, you have steadily shown passion and unshakeable commitment to the advancement of Conflict- Sensitive Journalism. You have persistently associated yourself with this branch of Development Communication that is known for driving lasting social change and improving people's general quality of life, especially across the developing world,” the FCCPC noted.
About Tunde Akanni of LASU
Mr Akanni is a Professor of Journalism at LASU. His profile on the institution's own academic pages gives his field of expertise as Journalism and Development Communications, and he obtained his PhD in Media and Conflict Resolution Studies at the University of Ibadan.
He joined LASU in 2001 as an Assistant Lecturer in the Department of Journalism and moved up gradually through the academic grades. In March 2025, the Governing Council of the university sanctioned his promotion to the rank of Professor of Journalism and Development Communication. At that point he was an Associate Professor and the first Director of LASU's Digital Media Research Centre.
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Career in Print Journalism and Research Interests
Mr Akanni's earlier career was in Nigerian print journalism, with stints at The Punch and National Concord, where he was promoted to Acting Features Editor. When the Concord titles were proscribed in 1994, he moved to the Civil Liberties Organisation as its Head of Campaigns.
His academic interests span the practice of journalism, ethics in the media, communication for development, political communication, conflict and the media, and strategic communication, as well as the ways artificial intelligence affects media systems.
His training, both academic and professional, has taken him to Columbia University in the United States, the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom and the Institute of Social Studies in The Hague, Netherlands. A British Chevening Scholar, he also holds the Netherlands NUFFIC Fellowship.
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