Lagos, Nigeria – August 6, 2025
Nigeria has lost one of its most accomplished media pioneers and iconic journalists, Dr. Doyinsola Abiola, former Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of National Concord newspapers. She passed away on Tuesday night at 9:15 pm after a period of illness. She was 82 years old.
Dr. Doyin Abiola was not only renowned for her towering achievements in journalism but also known as the widow of Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola, the acclaimed winner of Nigeria’s historic June 12, 1993, presidential election.
Trailblazing Career in Journalism
Dr. Abiola made history as the first Nigerian woman to become the editor of a national daily newspaper and later the first female Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief in the Nigerian media landscape, heading National Concord during its golden years.
She began her journalism career at the Daily Sketch shortly after graduating from the University of Ibadan in 1969 with a degree in English and Drama. At the Sketch, she launched her popular column “Tiro”, where she boldly addressed socio-political and gender issues with intellectual clarity and fearless candor.
In 1970, she pursued a Master’s degree in Journalism in the United States and, upon her return, joined the Daily Times as a Features Writer. She steadily rose to become the Group Features Editor. Her insatiable quest for knowledge led her back to the U.S., where she earned a PhD in Communications and Political Science from New York University in 1979.
On her return to Nigeria, she was appointed to the editorial board of Daily Times, where she worked alongside revered editors like Stanley Macebuh, Dele Giwa, and Amma Ogan. She would soon be recruited by the newly established National Concord to serve as its pioneer daily editor, marking a significant turning point in her illustrious career.
In 1986, she rose to become Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, becoming the most powerful woman in Nigerian media at the time. Her tenure at Concord spanned over three decades, where she maintained professional excellence amidst the storm of Nigeria’s turbulent political environment, particularly during the imprisonment and eventual death of her husband, MKO Abiola, after the annulment of the June 12 election.
Contributions and Legacy
Dr. Doyin Abiola also served in several advisory and leadership roles within the media and academia. She was the Chairperson of the Awards Nominating Panel at the inaugural Nigerian Media Merit Award (NMMA) and was a member of the Advisory Council of the Faculty of Social and Management Sciences at Ogun State University.
Her distinguished service was recognized with multiple accolades, most notably the Diamond Award for Media Excellence (DAME) Lifetime Achievement Award. She became the second woman to receive this honour, following Mrs. Omobola Onajide. In 1986, she was awarded the prestigious Eisenhower Fellowship, further cementing her place as a globally respected figure in media leadership.
A Woman of Strength and Grace
Married in 1981 to Chief MKO Abiola, Dr. Doyin Abiola demonstrated resilience and courage during one of the most difficult chapters in Nigerian history. She withstood the political and personal upheaval following the 1993 election crisis, enduring both the state-led clampdown on Concord Press and the persecution of the Abiola family.
Her life’s work and legacy continue to inspire generations of Nigerian journalists, women in leadership, and advocates of democratic values.
