Dr. Doyin Abiola, trailblazing journalist, former Managing Director of National Concord, and wife of the late Chief MKO Abiola, has died at the age of 82. According to family sources, she passed away at 9:15 p.m. on Tuesday after a period of illness.
A pioneer in Nigerian journalism, Dr. Abiola broke barriers as the first Nigerian woman to serve as editor and later managing director/editor-in-chief of a national daily newspaper. Her career at National Concord spanned over three decades, during which she became a defining voice in the media landscape and mentored many notable journalists.
Born in 1943, she earned a degree in English and Drama from the University of Ibadan in 1969. She began her journalism career at the Daily Sketch, where her popular column “Tiro” addressed pressing social issues, especially those concerning gender equity.
In 1970, Dr. Abiola traveled to the United States to pursue a Master’s degree in Journalism. Upon returning to Nigeria, she joined the Daily Times as a Features Writer and later became Group Features Editor. She obtained a Ph.D. in Communications and Political Science from New York University in 1979.
She went on to serve on the editorial board of the Daily Times alongside respected media figures such as Stanley Macebuh, Dele Giwa, and Amma Ogan. In 1980, she became the founding editor of National Concord and was appointed Managing Director in 1986.
Dr. Abiola married business mogul and democracy icon Chief MKO Abiola in 1981 and remained a steadfast figure during his political struggles, particularly in the aftermath of the annulled June 12, 1993, presidential election.
Beyond her editorial achievements, she played an influential role in advancing media excellence in Nigeria. She chaired the nomination panel of the Nigerian Media Merit Award (NMMA) and was a member of the advisory council for the Faculty of Social and Management Sciences at Ogun State University.
Her professional excellence was widely recognized. She was awarded the Diamond Award for Media Excellence (DAME) Lifetime Achievement Award—becoming the second woman to receive the honour—and was an Eisenhower Fellow in 1986.
Dr. Doyin Abiola leaves behind a rich legacy of leadership, integrity, and groundbreaking contributions to Nigerian journalism.
