Media Icon, Dr. Doyin Abiola, Passes Away at 82

Dr. Doyin Abiola, a trailblazer in Nigerian journalism and former Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of National Concord, has died at the age of 82. Her death was confirmed by Jamiu Abiola, one of the sons of the late Chief MKO Abiola, to PUNCH Online on Wednesday.

Dr. Abiola was the first Nigerian woman to head a national newspaper as Editor-in-Chief. She began her journalism career with Daily Sketch and later rose through the ranks at Daily Times before joining National Concord. In 1986, she was appointed Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of the Concord Group, which under her leadership, became one of Nigeria’s most influential media platforms.

She was born in 1943, studied at the University of Ibadan, and earned her PhD in Communications and Political Science from New York University in 1979.

Dr. Abiola’s legacy in Nigerian journalism remains unmatched, especially as a champion for public discourse and gender issues.