Nigeria Mourns as Doyin Abiola, First Female Editor of a National Daily, Dies at 82

Dr. Doyin Abiola, a respected media icon and wife of the late Chief MKO Abiola, has passed away at the age of 82.

According to family sources, she died peacefully around 9:15pm on Tuesday, August 5, 2025.

Dr. Abiola was a trailblazer in Nigeria’s media landscape. She made history as the first Nigerian female Editor of a national newspaper, and later, the first female Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of National Concord—a position she held for decades.

Her journalism journey began in 1969 at Daily Sketch Newspaper, where she launched a popular column called “Tiro”, tackling public and gender issues. A year later, she pursued further studies in the United States, earning a Master’s degree in Journalism.

Upon her return to Nigeria, she joined Daily Times as a Features Writer and steadily rose to become Group Features Editor. Never one to settle, she returned to the U.S. to earn a PhD in Communications and Political Science from New York in 1979.

After completing her doctorate, Dr. Abiola came back to Daily Times, joining the editorial board where she worked alongside renowned editors like Stanley Macebuh, Dele Giwa, and Amma Ogan.

Her career took a historic turn when she was invited to become the pioneer daily editor of the newly launched National Concord. By 1986, she was appointed Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief—making her the first Nigerian woman to reach such heights in print journalism.

Over a career spanning three decades, Dr. Doyin Abiola played a pivotal role in shaping Nigerian media and mentoring younger generations of journalists. She married the late Chief MKO Abiola in 1981.

Her death marks the end of an era, but her legacy remains firmly etched in Nigeria’s media history.

May her soul rest in perfect peace. Amen.