President Bola Tinubu has mourned the passing of veteran journalist and trailblazer, Dr. Doyin Abiola, who died on Tuesday night. Abiola, a former Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of National Concord, was also the wife of the late Chief MKO Abiola, acclaimed winner of the annulled June 12, 1993, presidential election.
In a heartfelt condolence message issued on Wednesday, President Tinubu hailed Abiola as a pioneer in Nigerian journalism and a champion of women’s empowerment.
“She broke the gender barrier, becoming the first woman to edit a national newspaper and the first managing director of a daily newspaper,” Tinubu said. “Her immense contributions to journalism and gender equity laid a foundation for generations of women. Her impact on our democracy was even more profound.”
The President praised her integrity, resilience, and unwavering commitment to public service and democratic governance.
“Nigerians will never forget Doyin Abiola’s leadership during her illustrious journalism career, her championing of women’s empowerment, and her dedication to democracy,” Tinubu stated. “May this nation be blessed with more women of Doyin Abiola’s calibre and pedigree.”
He extended his condolences to the Abiola and Aboaba families, her only daughter Doyinsola, and the governments and people of Lagos and Ogun States.
Dr. Abiola’s journey in journalism began in earnest in 1980 when she became the pioneer editor of National Concord, owned by her husband, MKO Abiola. She would go on to become Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of all Concord titles, founding Weekend Concord in the process — a paper that revolutionized people-focused reporting in Nigeria.
Her career spanned over three decades, during which she held various influential roles within Nigeria’s media landscape. In recognition of her lifetime contributions, she was honored with the Diamond Awards for Media Excellence (DAME) Lifetime Achievement Award for her role in advancing democratic values through the media.
Dr. Doyin Abiola is remembered as a towering figure in journalism, a champion of equity, and a firm believer in the power of the press to shape society.
