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Zainab Abioye
Former Chief Press Secretary to Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, Sunday Olakunle Somorin, has earned a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Mass Communication from Crescent University, Abeokuta, Ogun State, after five years of intensive research and academic work.
Somorin is among the pioneering doctoral students produced by the university’s Department of Mass Communication, marking a significant milestone in the department’s postgraduate program.
His doctorate adds a new dimension to a career that spans journalism, public communication, research and media scholarship.
He served as Chief Press Secretary to Governor Abiodun during the governor’s first term and remained active in academic and communications circles, including attending international conferences where he presented research papers.
Somorin was among the pioneering group of doctoral students examined by a group of leading communication and social science scholars.
Other members of the graduating group include three Federal Polytechnic lecturers, Ilaro – Odenike Omolaso, Thomas-Kuye Adedayo and Ayoola Morayo.
Also on set are Modupe Apanishile, a Senior Information Officer at the Public Relations Unit of the Federal Medical Centre, and Oluwatoyin Idehinre, Confidential Secretary to the Ogun State Commissioner for Youth and Sports.
The candidates underwent oral defense sessions over three days, with two candidates examined each day.
The examination panel comprised Professor Dele Odunlami, Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye; Professor Oyewo of the Department of Communication and Language Arts, University of Ibadan; and Professor Akanni Tunde Musibau of Lagos State University.
The judging panel subjected the nominees’ research to rigorous academic scrutiny, providing the opportunity for a detailed assessment of the quality, originality and scholarly contributions of their respective work.
For Somorin, the doctorate represents the culmination of a five-year academic journey undertaken in parallel with a demanding professional career in journalism and public communication.
Prior to his appointment as Chief Press Secretary to Governor Abiodun in 2019, Somorin served as Editor-in-Chief of the Africa Resource Center at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library.
He also previously served as head of ThisDay Newspapers’ London bureau, building a career that straddles journalism, international reporting, editorial management and strategic communications.
Beyond journalism and government communications, Somorin has maintained a strong interest in research and knowledge production.
He is currently the Research and Publications Manager at the Africa Leadership Forum, a non-governmental organization based in Ota, Ogun State.
His academic progression has also seen him contribute to academic discourse through research presentations and other academic engagements.
The awarding of the doctorate, therefore, marks not only academic success but also an extension of a career dedicated to media, communications and public affairs.
Hailing from Obafemi/Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State, Somorin now joins the growing community of Nigerian media professionals who combine newsroom experience with advanced academic scholarship.
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