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Former Minister of Science and Technology Prof Turner Timinipre Isoun has died at the age of 87, according to a statement signed by Diseye Timinipre Isoun on behalf of the family.
The statement said Isoun passed away peacefully on 15 July 2026. Born on 2 September 1938 in Odi, Bayelsa State, he was the son of Mark Ebidi and Dali Amgbapu Isoun.
The family recalled Isoun’s academic journey, noting that he won a federal government scholarship to study in the United States. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1963, a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1965 and a PhD in 1970, all from Michigan State University.
The statement highlighted his academic and institutional roles, stating that he became a Professor of Veterinary Pathology at the University of Ibadan in 1975 and served as the pioneer Vice-Chancellor of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology in Port Harcourt. It also noted his appointments as a visiting scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine in Germany.
The family described Professor Isoun as a statesman and advocate for the Ijaw people. They said he served as Chairman of the Ijaw National Congress (Central Zone) and played a pivotal role in the campaign that led to the creation of Bayelsa State from the old Rivers State, including helping to produce the foundational map used in the process.
According to the statement, Professor Isoun served as Federal Minister of Science and Technology from October 2000 to May 2007 under President Olusegun Obasanjo.
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The family credited him with driving Nigeria’s space and ICT initiatives while in office, including spearheading the establishment of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and helping to create Galaxy Backbone Plc to harmonise government ICT networks and build a national broadband backbone.
They also said his leadership contributed to the launch of Nigeria’s early satellites, including NigeriaSat-1 and NigComSat-1R.
The statement listed his honours, noting that Professor Isoun was a Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Science and the African Academy of Sciences.
He is survived by his wife, Mrs Miriam Jean Isoun (née Forbes), who co-authored his book, Why Run Before Learning to Walk, as well as children and grandchildren.
The family described him as having “lived a life of purpose, leaving a lasting legacy on his community, the nation, and the scientific world.”
They said further details about the memorial and burial arrangements will be communicated in due course.
