PANDEF Mourns Founding Trustee, Ex-Minister Prof. Turner Isoun, at 87

YENAGOA, — The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has announced the death of Professor Turner T. Isoun, a founding member of its Board of Trustees and former Minister of Science and Technology.

In a statement signed by National Chairman, Ambassador Dr. Godknows Boladei, OON, on July 17, 2026, PANDEF said Prof. Isoun passed away in Abuja on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at the age of 87.

The Forum described the late scholar as a “globally renowned scientist” whose life was marked by “outstanding scientific scholarship in research and teaching around the world, and in public service.”

Prof. Isoun served Rivers State as Special Adviser to the Governor on Science and Technology and as Pioneer Vice Chancellor of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, now Rivers State University, Port Harcourt.

During his tenure as Minister of Science and Technology under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, PANDEF said he “took that sector of national life to its highest levels.” He was credited as the driving force behind the establishment of key institutions including the Nigerian Institute of Biotechnology (NIBT), National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT), National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), and Galaxy Backbone Technology Hub.

A Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Science (FAS) and the African Academy of Sciences (FAAS), Prof. Isoun also founded the Wetland Centre in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. He served as Pioneer Chairman of the Bayelsa State Education Trust Fund and Founding Leader of the Rivers Study Group think tank. He was conferred with the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR).

Within PANDEF, Prof. Isoun played a key role in drafting the Forum’s “16-Point Agenda” for Niger Delta development, presented to former President Muhammadu Buhari on November 1, 2016. He also donated the Wetland Centre in Yenagoa to PANDEF as its Temporary National Secretariat.

“PANDEF salutes his great national service and restates its commitment to keeping his legacy alive,” the statement said.

The Forum conveyed condolences to the Government and people of Bayelsa State, his hometown of Odi, and to his wife of sixty years, Mrs. Miriam Isoun, and the entire family.

PANDEF has directed all its branches across Nigeria and abroad to observe a 3-day mourning period beginning Tuesday, July 21, 2026. Further funeral arrangements will be announced by the family.