Dr. Doyin Abiola, Nigeria’s Trailblazing Female Journalist Dies At 82.
The Nigerian media community is in mourning following the death of Dr. Doyin Abiola, a pioneering journalist and the first woman to serve as editor-in-chief of a national daily newspaper in Nigeria. She passed away on Tuesday, 5 August 2025, at 9:15 p.m., aged 82, after a period of illness, as confirmed by her son, Jamiu Abiola.
Born Adedoyinsola Aboaba in 1943, Dr. Abiola’s illustrious career began after she graduated from the University of Ibadan in 1969 with a degree in English and Drama. She joined the Daily Sketch newspaper that same year, where her column “Tiro” gained widespread acclaim for its bold commentary on social issues, particularly gender equality. In 1970, she pursued a master’s degree in journalism in the United States, later earning a PhD in Communications and Political Science from New York University in 1979.
Upon returning to Nigeria, Dr. Abiola worked at the Daily Times as a features writer, rising to Group Features Editor and later joining its editorial board alongside notable journalists like Stanley Macebuh and Dele Giwa. In 1980, she joined the newly established National Concord newspaper as its pioneer daily editor, and in 1986, she made history as its managing director and editor-in-chief, becoming the first Nigerian woman to hold such a position. Her three-decade tenure at National Concord shaped media discourse and mentored countless journalists.
Dr. Abiola, who married Chief MKO Abiola, the acclaimed winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, in 1981, was a steadfast supporter during the political turmoil that followed. Her resilience extended to her professional life, where she championed journalistic integrity and women’s rights. She chaired the inaugural Nigerian Media Merit Award nominating panel and served on the advisory council for Ogun State University’s Faculty of Social and Management Sciences. Her contributions earned her prestigious accolades, including the Diamond Award for Media Excellence (DAME) Lifetime Achievement Award, making her the second woman to receive this honour, and an Eisenhower Fellowship in 1986.
Tributes have flooded social media, with many lauding her as a “media trailblazer” and “soldier of democracy.” President Tinubu described her passing as a profound loss, noting her role in advancing press freedom. One X user recalled her grace, citing her directive to Concord editors not to gloat over General Sani Abacha’s death despite his imprisonment of her husband, reflecting her principled stance.
Dr. Abiola’s legacy as a fearless journalist and advocate for social justice continues to inspire. Funeral arrangements will be announced by her family in due course.