Veteran journalist Doyin Abiola has died at 81, leaving a strong mark on Nigerian media.
She was the first woman to lead a national newspaper and inspired many journalists.
Renowned media icon and former National Concord Managing Director Dr. Doyin Abiola passed away. Jamiu Abiola, the son of the late Nigerian businessman and statesman Chief MKO Abiola, confirmed her death on Wednesday.
Being the first female Nigerian editor-in-chief of a national daily newspaper, Dr. Abiola created history. Her leadership at National Concord in the 1980s and 1990s cemented her status as one of the country’s most influential media figures. She was born in 1943 and earned a degree in English and drama from the University of Ibadan in 1969. She began her journalism career at the Daily Sketch, where she gained public attention through her column Tiro, known for its focus on gender and social issues.
She began postgraduate studies in the United States in 1970 and graduated from New York University in 1979 with a PhD in Communications and Political Science.
She started out as a features writer for Daily Times after returning to Nigeria, and she worked her way up to the position of Group Features Editor. She later served on the newspaper’s editorial board, contributing alongside notable journalists like Dele Giwa and Stanley Macebuh.
Dr. Abiola became the founding editor of National Concord, a publication launched by her late husband, Chief MKO Abiola. In 1986, she was appointed Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of the newspaper, becoming one of the most powerful media executives of her era.
During her tenure, the Concord Group grew into a publishing powerhouse, producing up to 14 titles across newspapers and magazines. Beyond her professional achievements, she mentored countless journalists and championed press freedom and gender equality.
She made a lasting impact on Nigerian journalism and became a role model for future generations in the media.
Details about her funeral are yet to be released.
