PANDEF Mourns Founding BoT Member, Prof. Turner Isoun, Hails Legacy of Scientific Excellence and Niger Delta Development

By Wilson Macaulay

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has announced with profound sorrow the passing of one of its foremost founding fathers, distinguished scientist, elder statesman and former Minister of Science and Technology, Professor Turner T. Isoun, describing his death as a monumental loss to Nigeria, the Niger Delta and the global scientific community.
Professor Isoun reportedly passed away in Abuja on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at the age of 87 after a lifetime devoted to scientific research, education, innovation, national development and selfless public service.
In an obituary statement signed by PANDEF National Chairman, Ambassador Dr. Godknows Boladei, OON, the organization expressed shock and deep grief over the demise of one of its primary Board of Trustees members, whose intellectual contributions helped shape the vision and direction of the foremost socio-political organization representing the people of the Niger Delta.
PANDEF described the late professor as an internationally acclaimed scholar whose remarkable achievements in science, technology, education and public administration earned him enduring respect both within Nigeria and across the world.
The organization recalled that Professor Isoun served meritoriously as Special Adviser on Science and Technology to the Rivers State Government before becoming the pioneer Vice Chancellor of the then Rivers State University of Science and Technology, now Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, where he laid a solid academic and institutional foundation for technological advancement.
His tenure as Nigeria’s Minister of Science and Technology during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo was described as a transformative era that revolutionized Nigeria’s science and innovation ecosystem.
PANDEF noted that Professor Isoun was the visionary force behind the establishment of several strategic national institutions that continue to drive technological development in Nigeria, including the Nigerian Institute of Biotechnology, the Nigeria Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the Nigeria Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT), the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), and the Galaxy Backbone Technology Hub.
The late scholar also distinguished himself as a Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Science and the African Academy of Sciences, while founding the Wetland Centre research institute in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. He equally served as the pioneer Chairman of the Bayelsa Education Trust Fund and was the founding leader of the Rivers Study Group, contributing significantly to educational and policy development in the Niger Delta.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to national development, Professor Isoun was honoured by the Federal Government with the prestigious Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR).
Beyond his scientific accomplishments, PANDEF emphasized that Professor Isoun remained one of the intellectual architects of the organization. At the inception of PANDEF in 2016, he played a pivotal role in drafting the landmark 16-Point Agenda for the development of the Niger Delta, which was presented to former President Muhammadu Buhari on November 1, 2016.
The forum further disclosed that the late professor generously donated the Wetland Centre in Yenagoa to serve as PANDEF’s temporary National Secretariat, a facility that continues to function in that capacity to this day.
Describing his death as the end of a remarkable era, PANDEF pledged to preserve and uphold Professor Isoun’s enduring legacy of scholarship, innovation, patriotism and advocacy for the sustainable development of the Niger Delta region.
The organization extended its heartfelt condolences to the Government and people of Bayelsa State, the people of Odi Kingdom, his beloved wife of sixty years, Mrs. Miriam Isoun, and the entire Isoun family, praying for the peaceful repose of his soul.
As a mark of honour and respect for the departed elder statesman, PANDEF directed all its branches across Nigeria and in the diaspora to observe a three-day mourning period beginning Tuesday, July 21, 2026.
The forum noted that details of the funeral arrangements would be announced by the family in due course.
With the passing of Professor Turner T. Isoun, Nigeria has lost one of its greatest scientific minds, an accomplished academic, visionary institution builder and unwavering advocate for the development of the Niger Delta. His enduring contributions to science, education, technological innovation and nation-building will continue to inspire future generations and remain permanently etched in the nation’s history.