Dr. Bolu John Folayan is one of Nigeria’s leading experts in public affairs, reputation management and strategic communication.
He trained in journalism/strategic communication at the University of Lagos where he obtained his Bsc, Msc and PhD in Mass Communication.
Dr. Folayan has over 30 years cognate experience in mass communication practice – as a Lagos State Correspondent, later Assistant Political of Champion Newspapers, Managing Editor. Aviation Quarterly (Published by Optima Communications), CEO of Third World Media Ltd (a Media / PR Consult) and General Manager (Corporate Affairs) NICON Insurance Group and mass communication teacher (Osun State University, Joseph Ayo Babalola University, and The Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro. He has been strategic communication consultant for most of his career. In recognition of his expertise in public affairs and media relations management, the Ondo State Government appointed Dr. Folayan as member, Road Map to Progress Policy Review and Secretary Ondo State Merit Award Committee in 2007.
Among projects successfully handled by him are: NICON Group rebranding, Ondo State Road Map (under Olusegun Agagu Administration), strategic communication training/consultant to Lagos State parastatals and agencies.
As development communication, social research and strategic communication expert, Dr. Folayan as his actively involved in development communication for decades in Nigeria. Dr. Folayan hails from Igbotako, Ondo State. He is the publisher of the foremost community newspaper in Ondo State, Ikale News, which he started in 1992. The newspaper, which is now online to expand its reach worldwide, has been able to promote Ikale culture and foster unity and development of the community over the decades. Notable among achievements of Ikale News is the Ikale Awards, which honours outstanding Ikale citizens and the Biripo Fiesta, which serves as rallying point for traditional musicians in Ikaleland.
He also established Third World Media Ltd, which is into publishing and marketing communications. Alongside people who have passion for the development of the society, Dr. Folayan established Development Communication Research Centre (limited by guarantee), as a non-governmental organization in 2007 as a platform to actualize his theoretical knowledge in development communication, his area of research interest as a communication scholar. Dr. Folayan has authored over 6 books, including Olusegun Agagu: A Political Portrait, and Legacies of Leadership: Learning from the Action Years of Lateef Kayode Jakande. He has published 18 articles in reputable academic journals and has attended numerous conferences and workshops locally and internationally in the area of development communication. Folayan is a member of the Guild of Editors. Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, (NIPR), Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN). He is the secretary, Board of Trustees of Unilag Mass Comm Alumni Association (UMCAA).