Doyin Abiola’s Funeral Set For September 9-12, Celebrating A Media Pioneer.
The Moshood Abiola family has announced that the funeral of Dr Doyinsola Hamidat Abiola, the trailblazing former Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of the defunct Concord Press of Nigeria, will take place from September 9 to 12, 2025. Dr Abiola, who passed away on August 5 at the age of 82, was a towering figure in Nigerian journalism and the widow of the late Chief MKO Abiola, the acclaimed winner of the annulled June 12, 1993, presidential election.
Dr Abiola’s remarkable career began in 1969 at the Daily Sketch, where her influential column “Tiro” tackled pressing social issues, including gender advocacy. She later earned a master’s degree in journalism in the United States and a PhD in Communications and Political Science from New York University in 1979. Returning to Nigeria, she joined the Daily Times as a Features Writer, rising to Group Features Editor and serving on its editorial board alongside luminaries like Dele Giwa and Stanley Macebuh. In 1986, she made history as the first Nigerian woman to become Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of a national daily at the National Concord, a role she held for three decades.
The funeral programme, as confirmed by family sources, will span four days and include a series of events to honour her legacy. A family friend, Folakemi Onipede, described Dr Abiola as “Sisi Doyin,” a nickname reflecting her elegance, intelligence, and grace. The ceremonies are expected to draw dignitaries, journalists, and admirers from across Nigeria, celebrating her contributions to media and her steadfast support for her husband during the turbulent June 12 era.
Dr Abiola’s passing has prompted tributes highlighting her role as a media powerhouse and a symbol of resilience. The family is finalising arrangements, with ongoing discussions to ensure a fitting farewell for a woman who broke barriers in Nigerian journalism and left an indelible mark on the nation’s history.
