The Executive Director of the International Press Centre and a veteran Nigerian journalist and media rights advocate, Lanre Arogundade, has successfully defended his doctoral thesis at Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, Oyo State.
The newly minted Dr Lanre Arogundade disclosed this in a Facebook post, announcing that he successfully defended his thesis on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at the University’s Faculty of Communications and Media Studies.
The thesis, titled “Psycho-social Factors and Political Economy Elements of the Safety of Journalists and Media Professionalism in Nigeria,” examines issues surrounding journalists’ safety and professionalism in the country.
The thesis was externally examined by Professor Sola Olorunyomi of the University of Ibadan.
However, social media has been awash with congratulatory messages as Kayode Kolawole Kazeem said that the doctoral degree is long overdue, adding, “It would have been a disservice to your intellect if you refused to add a PhD to your name. Congratulations to a worthy brother and friend. Very proud of you.”
Kehinde Olaosebikan, the Director of Strategic Communication of the Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation (SSACO) said, “di Doctor at last. Congratulations, Dr. Akowe Lanre Arogundade.”
While Labi Owoboye said, “Congratulations, sir, Alakowe, this is a great inspiration to the rest of us”, Nnene Antia stated, ” Congratulations to the newest Doc on the block. Well deserved.”
Semiu Okanlawon, former Chief Press Secretary to the former Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, hailed the newly confirmed scholar, saying, “Dr. Lanre Arogundade.”
Arogundade was born in Osi-Ekiti, Ekiti State, on July 13, 1962, and attended St. Paul’s Anglican Primary School, Osi-Ekiti, and Ekiti Parapo College for his primary and secondary school education.
He also attended the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, where he studied Psychology. While in Ife, he was a Student Representative Council member representing the Faculty of Social Sciences, Secretary-General of the Students’ Union, and President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NAN) . He was also a member of the Alliance of Progressive Students (APS), a student socialist group.
He also attended the University of Ibadan, where he earned a Master’s Degree in Peace and Conflict.
Arogundade was the former Feature Editor of Concord Newspapers as well as the former Chairman of the Lagos State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
