Doyen of Journalism Management, Doyin Abiola Drops Her Pen, Forever!

By Ogungbayi Beedee Adeyemi August 6, 2025

Dr. Doyinsola Hamidat Abiola, wife of late politician-business mogul whose election truncation still haunts Nigeria to date, Chief MKO Abiola, has died on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, marking the end of an era in Nigerian journalism. Widely regarded as a pioneer and symbol of editorial excellence, Dr. Abiola was the first Nigerian woman to serve as the Editor and later the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of a national daily newspaper a groundbreaking achievement that altered journalism landscape of Nigerian.

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was one of the earliest personality to condole with the family and described her as a “soldier of democracy” and a “trailblazer” whose career helped shape Nigeria’s press freedom and democratic trajectory.

As tributes pour in from all sections, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in his tribute referred to her as a “media Amazon” and lauded her mentorship of female professionals in the industry Several notable government leaders, civil society, and media professional have expressed that her legacy in the journalism field remains a powerful blueprint for integrity, courage, and gender representation.

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Dr. Doyin Abiola began her journalism journey in 1969 with the Daily Sketch newspaper, where she launched the widely-read column Tiro, which addressed public policy and gender issues. She later moved to the Daily Times, serving as Group Features Editor and a member of its editorial board alongside revered journalists like Dele Giwa and Stanley Macebuh.

In the early 1980s, she joined the National Concord, the newspaper founded by late Chief MKO Abiola, whom she married. She became the first female Editor of the paper and, in 1986, was appointed Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief becoming the first woman to hold such a position in Nigeria’s print media industry.

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During her time National Concord flourished, becoming one of the most respected national publications. Her leadership was widely credited with elevating the paper’s editorial standard and positioning it as a formidable voice in national discourse.

Dr. Abiola accomplished stellar academic qualifications. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in English and Drama from the University of Ibadan, a Master’s degree in Journalism from Columbia University, and a PhD in Communications and Political Science from New York University.

She used her editorial position as a veritable platform to advocate for responsible journalism, democratic governance and empowerment of women in the media. She was also a persistent advocate for gender equity, writing extensively on women’s rights, social reform and political participation.

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In 1986, she was awarded the prestigious Eisenhower Fellowship, a testament to her status as a global media leader. Over the years, she served on national and international media panels, contributing to media policy, education, and development.

She was a devoted wife and firmly supported her husband’s political struggles, mobilizing activism for him through the fourth estate of the realm.

Dr. Doyin Abiola is survived by children, grandchildren, and a legacy of robust journalism that will be remembered in the annals of Nigerian media history.