Barely two weeks after his promotion to the rank of Professor of Political Communication at the University of Lagos, Akoka, Prof. Tayo Popoola has underscored that scholarly attainment with the unveiling of a new book–Introduction to Political Communication. The unveiling was conducted on the sidelines of his Professorial thanksgiving ceremony held at Divine Favour Prayer Assembly Ministries, Mowe, Ogun State, on Sunday, April 26, 2025.
The event was attended by a former Head of Department of Mass Communication at UNILAG and a communication veteran, Prof. Ralph Akinfeleye, who described the book as “the first of its kind” in the country. And facing the author, he addressed him as a loyal and obedient protégé, whose transition from the newsroom to academia is inspiring and worthy of emulation.
Popoola, who transitioned from the newsroom to academia and has been making waves as a communications scholar, said he intentionally wrote the book to strengthen the study of political communication and advance democracy in Nigeria. His words: “As I speak to you, the current crop of reporters covering politics are not well-grounded in the art of reporting politics. I have dedicated the rest of my life to the pursuit of development in political reporting in Nigeria by placing emphasis on political communication. This is the academic discipline through which we raise the personnel needed for the survival of democracy. In Nigeria, we have been working on institutionalising democracy, but we have never given a thought to the manpower that is needed for the success of democracy. That is the long and short of this book.”
During an interview with The Guardian days before the thanksgiving service, Popoola, who is the convener of the National Political Communication Movement, disclosed that the body is working to formally establish political communication as a discipline in Nigerian universities with undergraduate and postgraduate programmes beginning in first-generation institutions such as UNN, UNILAG, UI, ABU, and UNIBEN. He stated that through scholarly research, he has been able to establish that many political reporters in the country today “don’t know anything about politics,” stressing that “we must raise journalists who can cover politics effectively.”
Explaining the kind of journalism Nigeria needs now, he said: “The python is a hunter; when pursuing prey, it calculates carefully. Once it grabs the prey, it surrounds until the prey’s pulse is gone. Then it swallows the prey. If media professionals pursue stories rigorously to a logical conclusion, corrupt people will feel ashamed to contest in elections.” He urged journalists to move beyond the classic 5Ws and H. “That is archaic. Behind each who, what, why, and how, there are deeper questions begging for answers,” he noted.
On his journey to the professorial rank, Popoola saw it as a testament to faith, mentorship, persistence, and discipline required to thrive in a system that rewards excellence and hard work. “Every academic that is privileged to get to this rank will always appreciate God. At the University of Lagos, the university of first choice and the nation’s pride, the journey to the top is deliberate. From the start, academics are expected to aim high. If you cannot aspire to get a chair, it is better you don’t come on board as an academic in this university,” he said.
Recalling the path he took, he disclosed that he started off as a student of Political Science but discovered a different calling before graduation. “That was where the defining moment came. I started contributing to newspapers as a student. Before graduation, I was already a columnist. I knew then that God had prepared a job for me in journalism.” With that conviction, he pursued a career in journalism, featuring prominently in notable newspapers and magazines in the country between 1984 and 2002. These include: Vanguard, Punch, Nigerian Tribune, Herald, Tempo, Lagos Horizon, Champion, Vision Express and Diet Weekend newspaper, which he edited. He later enrolled for post-graduate studies in Mass Communication “to formalise my romance with journalism.”
According to him, renowned professors such as Akinfeleye, Idowu Shobowale, and others gave him the confidence and guidance that pushed him to his current rank. He further recalled that after settling into Mass Communication, his Political Science roots remained. Popoola, who bagged his PhD in Political Science, specialising in Political Communication, added; “At my PhD interview, colleagues asked whether I would return to Political Science or remain in Mass Communication. My response, which I borrowed from Bashorun M.K.O. Abiola was, ‘when we get to the bridge, we shall cross it.’ Today, I have two homes: Mass Communication and Political Science. The age of depending on one academic background alone is over. Diversify, collaborate, and network.”
To Popoola, challenges are integral to growth and only those who are hardworking and prayerful rise above challenges. He, therefore, advised young undergraduates and future academics to “be determined and work hard.” “Don’t look back. Whatever it takes, give it. That should be your mindset,” he charged.
