Renowned broadcast journalist and academic, Professor Ladi Sandra Adamu of the Department of Mass Communication, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, has died.
The late professor’s death was announced on Tuesday by Dr. Kabiru Danladi Lawanti, a lecturer in the same department, who described her passing as a significant loss to the academic and media community.
Dr. Lawanti said, “This is to announce the passing away of our teacher and colleague, Prof. Ladi Sandra Adamu. My deepest condolences to the family.”
Professor Adamu reportedly passed away in an Abuja hospital after a prolonged illness. She is survived by her son, Muhammad Bashir.
Born on July 17, 1958, in Yaba, Lagos, Prof. Adamu was the daughter of the late Sgt. Major Adamu Pankshin, the first Nigerian to become Regimental Sergeant Major of the Nigerian Army Corps of Engineers in Kaduna. Her father died in active service when she was a child.
Prof. Adamu began her education at Army Children’s School, Ribadu Cantonment, Kaduna, before attending Queen Amina College, Kakuri, Kaduna. She later pursued higher education abroad, earning a B.A. in Mass Communication (Radio and Television) from Columbia College, Los Angeles, and a B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communication from City University, London. She also obtained a Master’s degree in Communication Arts (Film) from Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, California.
She began her professional career as a Public Relations Officer at the Nigerian Consulate in Atlanta, Georgia, between 1982 and 1984, before serving as News Editor during her National Youth Service at NTA Jos (1984–1985). She later worked as a broadcast journalist at NTA Jos until 1987, and then as Deputy Editor (Weekly) with The Democrat Newspapers, Kaduna (1987–1995).
From 1995 to 1999, Prof. Adamu was Lecturer and Director of Training at the Catholic Media Service Centre, Kaduna. She joined ABU Zaria in 1999 and devoted over two decades to teaching, research, and mentorship, becoming the first female professor of broadcasting in Northern Nigeria.
Funeral arrangements are yet to be announced by the family.
