A Nigerian professor of journalism and communication, Tunde Akanni, has been inducted as a Fellow of the Society of Peace Studies (SPSP), in recognition of his contributions to journalism, conflict-sensitive communication and development communication.

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), The commission where Mr Akanni is serving on sabbatical as Executive Vice Chairman, congratulated him on the recognition in a letter dated 7 October and signed by the Head of Department, Administration, Yisau Adepoju on behalf of the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

According to the commission, the recognition reflects Mr Akanni’s contributions to scholarship and journalism, particularly his commitment to conflict-sensitive journalism and development communication.

Who is Tunde Akanni?

Mr Akanni is a Nigerian scholar, journalist, development communication specialist and public affairs strategist whose career spans academia, journalism, public policy, media development and civil society engagement.

A Professor of Journalism at Lagos State University (LASU), he teaches in the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, where he has contributed to teaching, research, curriculum development and postgraduate supervision.

His academic interests include journalism practice, media ethics, development communication, political communication, media and conflict, strategic communication and the impact of artificial intelligence on media systems. His scholarly publications and newspaper commentaries have also established him as a prominent voice in Nigeria’s media and communication discourse.

Before his career in academia, Mr Akanni worked in Nigeria’s print media industry.  His career has enabled him to bridge the gap between media theory and practice while mentoring journalists and communication professionals.

He is currently on sabbatical at the FCCPC, where he contributes to strategic communication, public engagement and institutional communication.

Mr Akanni has also received international academic and professional exposure, including the British Chevening Scholarship and advanced studies at the University of Leicester, United Kingdom. He has undertaken further training in development studies and human rights advocacy.

Beyond academia and journalism, he has been involved in initiatives promoting ethical journalism, democratic governance, conflict resolution, media literacy and national development. He also works as a trainer and consultant, facilitating capacity-building programmes for universities, government institutions, regulatory agencies, media organisations and civil society groups.

His areas of expertise include strategic communication, persuasive writing, media relations and public communication, while his public commentaries frequently address governance, education, media reform, national security, consumer rights, social cohesion and technological innovation.

FCCPC praises Akanni’s contribution to journalism

In its congratulatory letter, the commission said it received the news of Mr Akanni’s investiture with “great delight” and described the recognition as well deserved.

The FCCPC said the honour was a testament to his “laudable scholarly contributions” to journalism, noting his professional and academic accomplishments.

It also commended what it described as his “passion and unwavering commitment” to promoting conflict-sensitive journalism.

The commission said Mr Akanni had consistently identified with development communication, which it described as a strand of communication known for promoting sustainable social change and improving quality of life, particularly in developing countries.

“Honour comes as no surprise’

The FCCPC said Mr Akanni’s track record made the recognition unsurprising, describing the honour as both timely and richly deserved.

“Given your remarkable track record, therefore, this honour comes as no surprise,” the commission said.

It congratulated Mr Akanni and his family on the achievement and expressed confidence that he would continue to contribute to Nigeria and the global academic community in his future endeavours.