Dr. Doyin Abiola, a trailblazing journalist and wife of the late Chief MKO Abiola, passed away on Tuesday night, August 5, at exactly 9:15 pm following an illness.
Newsonspot reports that Dr. Abiola was widely celebrated as the first Nigerian woman to edit a national daily newspaper and later rose to become the Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of National Concord, making her a groundbreaking figure in the Nigerian media landscape.
Her journalism journey began in 1969 with the Daily Sketch Newspaper, where she wrote a popular column, Tiro, addressing social and gender-related issues. In 1970, she proceeded to the United States for a Master’s degree in Journalism and later earned a PhD in Communications and Political Science from New York in 1979.
Upon returning to Nigeria, Dr. Abiola joined the Daily Times as a Features Writer and eventually became the Group Features Editor. Her exceptional editorial acumen earned her a spot on the editorial board of Daily Times, where she worked alongside prominent journalists like Dele Giwa, Stanley Macebuh, and Amma Ogan.
In the early 1980s, she joined the newly established National Concord as its pioneer daily editor. In 1986, she was promoted to Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief, making history as the first woman to lead a major daily publication in Nigeria. Her career at National Concord spanned over three decades, during which she played a pivotal role in shaping Nigeria’s media industry.
Dr. Doyin Abiola married Chief MKO Abiola in 1981. Until her death, she remained a symbol of professionalism, courage, and commitment to journalistic excellence.
May her soul rest in perfect peace. Amen.
