Trailblazing journalist, former Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of National Concord, and one of Nigeria’s most influential media figures, Dr. Doyin Abiola, has died at the age of 82.
She was one of the wives of the late winner of the June 12 presidential election, Chief MKO Abiola.
One of the sons of the late MKO Abiola, Jamiu, confirmed her death to PUNCH Online on Wednesday.
“Yes, she passed away last night,” he said in the telephone interview.
Widely celebrated as the first Nigerian woman to become editor-in-chief of a national daily newspaper, Dr. Abiola spent over three decades in the media industry, breaking barriers and shaping public discourse through journalism.
Born in 1943, she earned a degree in English and Drama from the University of Ibadan in 1969 and began her career at Daily Sketch, where she wrote a widely read column, Tiro, focusing on public and gender issues.
In 1970, she travelled to the United States for postgraduate studies, and later obtained a PhD in Communications and Political Science from New York University in 1979.
On her return to Nigeria, she joined Daily Times as a Features Writer and rose to the position of Group Features Editor.
She was later appointed to the paper’s editorial board, working alongside the likes of Stanley Macebuh, Dele Giwa, and Amma Ogan.
Doyin went on to become the pioneer daily editor of National Concord, and in 1986, was appointed Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief, making her one of the most powerful women in Nigerian media at the time.
As editor and later Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Abiola led the National Concord newspaper to become one of Nigeria’s most influential media platforms.
Under her leadership, the Concord Group expanded to publish as many as 14 newspapers and magazines.
Doyin once turned down an offer to become “Woman Editor” at Daily Times, a role she felt underestimated her capabilities.
She insisted on being judged by merit rather than gender, eventually joining as a Features Writer and rising to the role of Group Features Editor.
During General Sani Abacha’s regime, soldiers invaded the Concord premises and destroyed printing presses. The newspaper was proscribed for 18 months.
She later recalled in a 2001 interview that despite the pressure, she remained committed to truth and justice in journalism.
Beyond her newsroom accomplishments, she served the industry in various capacities.
She chaired the Awards Nominating Panel of the maiden Nigerian Media Merit Award and sat on the Advisory Council of the Faculty of Social and Management Sciences at Ogun State University.
In 1986, she was named an Eisenhower Fellow.
Years later, she received the Diamond Awards for Media Excellence Lifetime Achievement Award for her outstanding contribution to journalism and democracy in Nigeria, becoming only the second woman to receive the honour.
She also served as Chairperson of the CNN African Journalist of the Year Awards.
She was married to the late Chief MKO Abiola, the winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, and stood by him during the years of political turmoil that followed.
