Former Science and Technology Minister, Prof. Turner Isoun, is dead

Former Minister of Science and Technology, Professor Turner Isoun, has died at the age of 87.

The renowned academic and former minister reportedly passed away over the weekend in Abuja.

His death has drawn tributes from across the country, including from Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, who described his passing as a great loss to Bayelsa State, the Ijaw nation and Nigeria.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Daniel Alabrah, Governor Diri hailed the late professor as an accomplished scholar, administrator and statesman whose contributions to education, science and public service left an enduring legacy.

The governor also acknowledged Isoun’s pioneering role as the first Vice-Chancellor of the then University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, now Rivers State University, where he laid the foundation for the institution’s growth as Nigeria’s first university dedicated to science and technology.

Professor Isoun served as Nigeria’s Minister of Science and Technology under former President Olusegun Obasanjo from 2000 to 2007, during which he championed major reforms in science, technology and innovation.

He played a leading role in advancing Nigeria’s information and communication technology sector, spearheading the establishment of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and contributing to the creation of Galaxy Backbone Plc, the government-owned ICT infrastructure company.

His tenure also recorded significant achievements in Nigeria’s space programme, including the launch of NigeriaSat-1 and NigComSat-1R, milestones that strengthened the country’s presence in space technology.

A distinguished veterinary medicine scholar, Professor Turner Isoun will be remembered for his lifelong dedication to science, education and national development.

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