The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), where Mr Akanni is currently on sabbatical, also congratulated him on the recognition.
Tunde Akanni of Lagos State University (LASU) has been inducted as a Fellow of the Society for Peace Studies and Practice (SPSP).
The fellowship recognises his contributions to journalism, conflict-sensitive communication and development communication, according to reports on the investiture.
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), where Mr Akanni is currently on sabbatical, also congratulated him on the recognition.
In a letter dated 7 October 2026, the commission described the fellowship as a testament to his scholarly contributions to journalism and his commitment to conflict-sensitive journalism.
The letter, signed by Yisau Adepoju, Head of the Administration Department, on behalf of the FCCPC’s Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Olatunji Bello, said Mr Akanni had consistently demonstrated commitment to development communication and its role in promoting social change.
The commission said the recognition was “timely and richly deserved”, and expressed confidence that Mr Akanni would continue to contribute 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 noted.
Mr Akanni is a Professor of Journalism at LASU. The university’s official academic profile lists his specialisation as Journalism and Development Communications and 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 rose through the academic ranks. In March 2025, the university’s Governing Council approved his elevation to full professor of Journalism and Development Communication. At the time, he was an Associate Professor and pioneer Director of LASU’s Digital Media Research Centre.
Before joining academia, Mr Akanni worked in Nigeria’s print media industry, including at The Punch and National Concord, where he rose to Acting Features Editor. Following the proscription of Concord titles in 1994, he became Head of Campaigns at the Civil Liberties Organisation.
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.
He has undertaken academic and professional training at institutions including 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 also a British Chevening Scholar and a recipient of the Netherlands NUFFIC Fellowship.
