Dr. Doyin Abiola, a trailblazing Nigerian journalist and former Managing Director of National Concord, has passed away at the age of 82.
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According to family sources, Dr. Doyin Abiola died peacefully at 9:15 p.m. on Tuesday following a brief illness.
A pioneering figure in Nigerian media, Dr. Abiola — the wife of the late MKO Abiola — made history as the first Nigerian woman to serve as both editor and later managing director/editor-in-chief of a national daily newspaper.
Dr. Doyin Abiola, a pioneering figure in Nigerian journalism and former Managing Director of National Concord, has died at the age of 82.
Her decades-long career not only broke barriers for women in the media industry but also helped shape the editorial direction of modern Nigerian print journalism.
Born in 1943, Dr. Abiola studied English and Drama at the University of Ibadan, graduating in 1969. She began her journalism career at the Daily Sketch, where her column Tiro became widely read for its bold commentary on public affairs, especially issues affecting women.
In 1970, she traveled to the United States to further her education, earning a Master’s degree in Journalism. Upon her return to Nigeria, she joined the Daily Times as a Features Writer and rose through the ranks to become Group Features Editor. She later earned a Ph.D. in Communications and Political Science from New York University in 1979.
Her career reached a defining moment in 1980 when she was appointed the founding editor of National Concord, a newspaper established by businessman and politician Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola. In 1986, she made history once again by becoming the Managing Director of the media group.
In 1981, she married MKO Abiola, widely regarded as the presumed winner of Nigeria’s annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election. Throughout his political struggles and incarceration, Dr. Abiola remained a symbol of strength and quiet resilience.
Beyond her groundbreaking newsroom leadership, Dr. Doyin Abiola played a vital role in advancing journalism education and media development in Nigeria. She chaired the nomination panel of the Nigerian Media Merit Award (NMMA) and served on the advisory council for the Faculty of Social and Management Sciences at Ogun State University.
Her lifelong dedication to journalistic excellence earned her several notable honors, including the prestigious Eisenhower Fellowship in 1986 and the DAME Lifetime Achievement Award—making her only the second woman to receive the accolade after Mrs. Omobola Onajide.
Dr. Doyin Abiola leaves behind a legacy of courage, innovation, and unwavering commitment to truth and public service. Funeral arrangements will be announced by the family in the coming days.
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