Dr. Doyin Abiola, a pioneering figure in Nigerian journalism and widow of late business mogul and politician MKO Abiola, has died at the age of 82.
Her death was confirmed by Jamiu Abiola, one of MKO Abiola’s sons, during a phone conversation with PUNCH Online on Wednesday.
“Yes, she passed away last night,” he said.
Dr. Abiola made history as the first Nigerian woman to become Editor-in-Chief of a national newspaper.
She served as the Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of National Concord, where she played a crucial role in shaping public discourse and expanding the reach of the Concord media group.
Born in 1943, Doyin Abiola began her journalism journey after earning a degree in English and Drama from the University of Ibadan in 1969.
She started her career at Daily Sketch, where her column, Tiro, addressed public and gender-related issues.
Her pursuit of higher education took her to the United States in 1970, and she later earned a PhD in Communications and Political Science from New York University in 1979.
Upon returning to Nigeria, she joined Daily Times as a Features Writer, where she eventually became Group Features Editor.
Despite being offered the role of “Woman Editor” a title she declined, believing it downplayed her competence she rose through the ranks by merit.
Dr. Abiola was later appointed to the Daily Timeseditorial board, where she worked alongside respected journalists like Stanley Macebuh, Dele Giwa, and Amma Ogan.
She would later become the first daily editor of National Concord and, in 1986, assumed the position of Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief, a post that placed her among the most powerful women in Nigerian media at the time.
Under her leadership, the Concord Group expanded significantly, at one point publishing up to 14 newspapers and magazines.
Her career was not without challenges. During General Sani Abacha’s military regime, the Concord premises were attacked by soldiers, and the publication was shut down for 18 months.
Despite the ordeal, she remained firm in her commitment to journalistic integrity.
Dr. Abiola also served the journalism community in various capacities.
She chaired the first Nigerian Media Merit Award Nominating Panel and was a member of the Advisory Council for the Faculty of Social and Management Sciences at Ogun State University.
In 1986, she became an Eisenhower Fellow. She also served as Chairperson for the CNN African Journalist of the Year Awards.
Her contributions to the media were recognized with the Diamond Awards for Media Excellence Lifetime Achievement Award, making her only the second woman to receive that honour.
Throughout her life, she stood firmly by her late husband, Chief MKO Abiola, the presumed winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, especially during the tumultuous political period that followed.
Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced by the family.
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