By Waziri Isa Adam Gwantu
Scholars, public officials, and family members gathered at Divine Favour Prayer Assembly Ministries, Mowe, Ogun State, to celebrate Professor Tayo Popoola’s elevation to professorship, describing his journey as a powerful lesson in discipline, loyalty, and faith.
The thanksgiving service drew distinguished academics including Professor Ralph Akinfeleye, Professor Solomon Akinboye, and Professor Funsho Akere, alongside Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Hon. Gbenga Omotoso, who joined others in paying tribute to a career defined by consistency and purpose.
For those who know him, Popoola’s promotion did not come as a surprise. Professor Akinfeleye, who supervised him, recalled that an uncommon willingness to learn and execute tasks with diligence set him apart early in his career. That discipline, he said, formed the bedrock of Popoola’s steady rise through the academic ranks — from Lecturer II to Lecturer I, Senior Lecturer, Associate Professor, and now Professor.
Speakers traced his path beyond academia, noting that his strong work ethic was evident during his years in the newsroom, where he excelled despite limited resources. His potential earned him greater responsibility, and he rose quickly to become an editor. Yet, as Professor Akinfeleye observed, it soon became clear that his calling extended beyond journalism. His transition to academia was a defining moment, one that demanded sacrifice. Academic life offered fewer financial rewards and heavier demands, but Popoola chose long-term impact over immediate comfort — a decision that shaped the trajectory of his career.
What drew deep admiration was his ability to combine scholarship with spiritual leadership. As both a pastor and an academic, he has planted and nurtured churches across different locations while meeting the rigorous demands of university life. Colleagues described this dual commitment as rare, saying it reflects not only discipline but a clear sense of purpose that gives fuller expression to his character.
Reflecting on the occasion, Hon. Gbenga Omotoso said the event was more than a celebration; it was a lesson in humility and loyalty. In an era where recognition often creates distance, Popoola remains grounded and openly acknowledges those who contributed to his journey. His willingness to honour mentors and elders, Omotoso noted, reveals a quiet but profound strength of character. Loyalty to people, to institutions, and to faith, he added, has been central to Popoola’s life — and the thanksgiving service was the visible reward of years of commitment to those principles.
As tributes and prayers closed the event, the atmosphere was one of gratitude and expectation. For many in attendance, Professor Tayo Popoola’s story is a reminder that success is rarely accidental. It is built over time through deliberate choices, strengthened by mentorship, and sustained by purpose.
The thanksgiving also provided an opportunity for the unveiling of Professor Popoola’s latest book on Political Communication which he dedicated to the teaching of Political Communication in Nigerian universities.