LASU's Tunde Akanni becomes peace studies fellow

Tunde Akanni from Lagos State University (LASU) has been made a Fellow of the Society for Peace Studies and Practice (SPSP).

Mr Akanni is a professor of Journalism in LASU’s Faculty of Communication and Media Studies. He received the fellowship during the society’s 20th International Conference and General Assembly held at Lead City University, Ibadan, from 5 to 9 October 2026.

The fellowship recognises his work in journalism, conflict-sensitive communication and development communication, according to news reports on the ceremony.

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), where Mr Akanni is currently on sabbatical, also sent him congratulations for this honour.

In a letter dated 7 October 2026, the commission called the fellowship a sign of his strong contributions to journalism and his dedication to conflict-sensitive journalism.

The letter was signed by Yisau Adepoju, Head of the Administration Department, on behalf of FCCPC’s Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Olatunji Bello. It stated that Mr Akanni has shown a steady commitment to development communication and its role in driving social change.

The commission mentioned that the recognition was "timely and richly deserved". They expressed confidence that Mr Akanni would keep making valuable contributions to Nigeria and the global academic community.

"This auspicious milestone is a clear testimony to your laudable scholarly contributions to the field of journalism. As a thoroughbred professional and accomplished academic, you have consistently demonstrated passion and unwavering commitment to the promotion of Conflict-Sensitive Journalism. You have tenaciously identified with this strand of Development Communication that is renowned for fostering sustainable social change and advancing the overall quality of life, particularly in developing nations," FCCPC stated.

Mr Akanni is a Professor of Journalism at LASU. The university’s official academic profile shows his specialisation in Journalism and Development Communications, along with his PhD in Media and Conflict Resolution Studies from the University of Ibadan.

He joined LASU’s Department of Journalism in 2001 as an Assistant Lecturer and has climbed the academic ladder. In March 2025, the university’s Governing Council approved his promotion to full professor of Journalism and Development Communication. At that time, he was an Associate Professor and the first Director of LASU’s Digital Media Research Centre.

Before he entered academia, Mr Akanni worked in Nigeria’s print media, including at The Punch and National Concord, where he got to the position of Acting Features Editor. After the ban on Concord titles in 1994, he took on the role of Head of Campaigns at the Civil Liberties Organisation.

His academic interests cover journalism practice, media ethics, development communication, political communication, media and conflict, strategic communication and the effects of artificial intelligence on media systems.

He has also trained at institutions like Columbia University in the United States, the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom, and the Institute of Social Studies in The Hague, Netherlands. He is a British Chevening Scholar and has received the Netherlands NUFFIC Fellowship.