The Association of Communication Scholars and Practitioners of Nigeria (ACSPN) is set to posthumously honour two of its distinguished scholars, Professors Lai Oso and Samuel Ekunadayo Alao, with the Fellowship of the Association at its forthcoming national conference in Abuja.

The National President of ACSPN, Prof. Rotimi Olatunji, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists, saying the honour was in recognition of the scholars’ contributions to communication scholarship, education, professional practice and national development.

The conference, scheduled for September 2 and 3, 2026, will hold at Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja, with the theme, “Electoral Integrity,” and will bring together communication scholars and media professionals to deliberate on issues surrounding elections and the media.

Olatunji said the association would confer the posthumous fellowship on Alao in recognition of his intellectual distinction, professional integrity and commitment to advancing communication scholarship and practice in Nigeria.

He described Alao as an eminent scholar and committed member of the association whose influence extended beyond the classroom through his scholarship, teaching, mentorship and professional engagements.

According to him, Alao was respected for his depth of knowledge, disciplined scholarship and ability to inspire colleagues and younger academics.

He said the late scholar also played a significant role in the development of ACSPN as a member of its Board of Trustees, contributing his wisdom, experience and sound judgment to the affairs of the association.

Olatunji said Alao regarded communication as more than an academic discipline, stressing that he saw it as an instrument for societal development, responsible citizenship and national transformation.

He said the posthumous fellowship was therefore a fitting tribute to Alao’s scholarship, service, integrity and enduring impact.

On Oso, the ACSPN president described him as an eminent scholar, distinguished teacher, public intellectual and pioneering leader in Nigeria’s communication community.

He said Oso, a Professor of Mass Communication at Lagos State University, made significant contributions to journalism, political communication, development communication, public relations, media governance and communication theory.

According to Olatunji, Oso’s contribution to ACSPN was “foundational and historic,” having served as the pioneer president of the association following its incorporation in 2013.

He said Oso led the association from 2014 to 2020 and helped shape its institutional identity, programmes, partnerships and professional direction during its formative years.

The ACSPN president also described Oso as an institution-builder and mentor who contributed to the development of communication education at Lagos State University.

He noted that Oso, as Dean of the Faculty/School of Communication at the institution from 2011 to 2015, played a significant role in strengthening communication education, including the introduction of professional postgraduate programmes in Communication Studies.

Olatunji said Oso’s academic and professional engagements extended to international organisations, including UNESCO and UNICEF, while his scholarship and mentorship influenced generations of communication scholars and professionals.

He said the decision to honour Oso and Alao was not merely a recognition of their past achievements but also a reminder of the responsibility of communication scholars and practitioners to deploy their knowledge for the benefit of society.

Olatunji said the legacies of the two scholars should inspire contemporary communication professionals to promote responsible communication, professional integrity, knowledge production and national development.

He added that the forthcoming conference would provide an opportunity for scholars and media professionals to reflect on the role of communication in strengthening electoral integrity and democratic development.

The posthumous Fellowships for Oso and Alao will be among the activities at the two-day national conference in Abuja.