By Our Correspondent
Dr. Doyin Abiola, a veteran journalist, former Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of National Concord, and one of Nigeria’s most celebrated media figures, has passed away at the age of 82.
Her death was confirmed on Wednesday by Jamiu Abiola, one of the sons of the late Chief MKO Abiola, in a telephone interview with PUNCH Online. “Yes, she passed away last night,” he said.
Widely acknowledged as the first Nigerian woman to serve as Editor-in-Chief of a national daily, Dr. Abiola was a pioneer and formidable force in journalism, whose influence spanned over three decades. She not only broke gender barriers but also helped shape public discourse in Nigeria.
Born in 1943, she studied English and Drama at the University of Ibadan, graduating in 1969. She began her journalism career at Daily Sketch, where she authored the popular column Tiro, which addressed social and gender issues.
In 1970, she travelled to the United States for further studies and later earned a PhD in Communications and Political Science from New York University in 1979. Upon her return to Nigeria, she joined Daily Times as a Features Writer, rising through the ranks to become Group Features Editor and later a member of the editorial board alongside prominent journalists such as Stanley Macebuh, Dele Giwa, and Amma Ogan.
In a defining move, she became the pioneer daily editor of National Concord, a publication founded by her husband, Chief MKO Abiola, and in 1986, she was appointed Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief. Her leadership saw the Concord Group expand to include up to 14 different publications, making it one of the most influential media conglomerates in Nigeria.
Dr. Abiola once notably declined the offer to become “Woman Editor” at Daily Times, a position she believed undermined her capabilities. She insisted on being evaluated based on merit, not gender—a stance that defined her career and set a precedent for generations of women in media.
Her tenure was not without trials. During General Sani Abacha’s military regime, Concord premises were attacked by soldiers, printing presses were destroyed, and the newspaper was proscribed for 18 months. In a 2001 interview, Dr. Abiola reflected on the ordeal, affirming her commitment to truth and justice in journalism despite the intense pressure.
Outside the newsroom, she served in numerous professional capacities. She chaired the Awards Nominating Panel for the inaugural Nigerian Media Merit Award, was a member of the Advisory Council for the Faculty of Social and Management Sciences at Ogun State University, and was named an Eisenhower Fellow in 1986.
She also received the Diamond Awards for Media Excellence (DAME) Lifetime Achievement Award, becoming only the second woman to be so honoured, and served as Chairperson of the CNN African Journalist of the Year Awards.
Dr. Abiola was married to the late Chief MKO Abiola, the winner of the annulled June 12, 1993, presidential election. She stood by him throughout the turbulent years that followed, cementing her role not only as a media leader but also as a steadfast figure during one of Nigeria’s most defining political eras.
Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced by the family in the coming days.
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