Professor Turner Isoun, a former Nigerian minister of science and technology, passed away in Abuja on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at the age of 87.
Premium Times reported that the family’s spokesperson, Diseye Timinipre Isoun, announced the death of the respected patriarch in a statement. He noted that the elder statesman hailed from Odi in Bayelsa state.
Reacting to the news, Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa state described the late professor as “an academic colossus whose contributions to scholarship and national development are outstanding and immeasurable.”
The governor added that Prof. Isoun’s passing represented a profound loss not only to the Ijaw nation but to the entire country, The Nation reported.
Isoun’s ‘legacy’ in science and ICT
Although he was trained as a professor of veterinary medicine, Isoun earned lasting recognition for his service as minister of science and technology under the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
During his time in office, he was widely acknowledged for spearheading Nigeria’s early advancement in information technology and space science.
One of the defining achievements of his tenure was the establishment of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), alongside the creation of Galaxy Backbone Plc, a government owned ICT company.
It was established to integrate the country’s communication networks and provide dependable broadband infrastructure nationwide.
His leadership also coincided with major breakthroughs in Nigeria’s space programme, including the successful launch of NigeriaSat-1 and Nigcomsat 1R.
These satellites became significant milestones that shaped the nation’s scientific and technological progress. Long before joining the federal cabinet, Isoun had already built a distinguished career in higher education.
He was the pioneer vice chancellor of the University of Science and Technology in Port Harcourt in the old Rivers state, now known as Rivers State University.
In that capacity, he laid what Governor Diri described as the solid foundations of Nigeria’s first university dedicated to science and technology.
Outside his academic accomplishments and public service, Isoun remained committed to the development of the Ijaw people.
He served as chairman of the Ijaw National Congress, Central Zone, and played an important role in the political efforts that culminated in the creation of Bayelsa state from the old Rivers state in 1996.
“The Odi-born scientist would be greatly missed for his candour, wise counsel and commitment to Ijaw socio-cultural values,” Governor Diri said, while extending condolences from the Bayelsa state Government to the Isoun family and community.
He also encouraged the bereaved family and the people of the community to find solace in the enduring legacy and remarkable contributions the late elder statesman made to the nation.
Professor Turner Isoun, terrific man; seminal teacher; honest public servant; respected community leader, #RIP pic.twitter.com/G4K7vOGdu6
— Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, CGoF (@ChidiOdinkalu) July 16, 2026
