President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Doyin Hamidat Abiola, wife of the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola, describing her as a trailblazer in journalism and a fearless advocate of democracy and gender equity.
In a personal tribute titled “GOODNIGHT DOYIN ABIOLA, MEDIA TRAILBLAZER, SOLDIER OF DEMOCRACY,” the Nigerian leader said the late Abiola’s contributions to journalism, women’s empowerment, and democratic ideals will never be forgotten.
“Doyin Abiola, 82, was an Amazon and an icon in Nigerian journalism,” President Tinubu wrote. “She stayed in the journalism course since starting as a reporter with the defunct Daily Sketch after graduating from the University of Ibadan in 1969, majoring in English and Drama. Her immense contributions to journalism and gender equity laid a foundation for generations of women. Her impact on our democracy was even more profound.”
He praised her as the first woman to edit a national newspaper and the first female Managing Director of a daily newspaper in Nigeria.
“Doyin embodied integrity, tenacity, hard work, commitment to excellence and dedication to public good and democratic good governance,” he stated. “In 1980, she emerged as the pioneer Editor of National Concord, owned by the late MKO Abiola. She later became the managing director and editor-in-chief of all the Concord titles, including founding the Weekend Concord, which set new standards for making people the focus of reporting.”
President Tinubu also recalled their longstanding relationship through MKO Abiola and noted her critical role in the June 12 struggle.
“As MKO’s wife, Doyin became acquainted with politics and took a keen interest in it, particularly when her husband ran for the country’s presidency in 1993,” he said. “She played a prominent role in MKO’s election, mobilising and providing direction for the media under her control. And when the June 12 election, won by her husband, was annulled, she did not stand aside. Despite the military junta shutting down the Concord Group, she also joined the fray, demanding the validation of the election. She was a soldier of democracy in her own right.”
He extended condolences to the Abiola and Aboaba families, her daughter Doyinsola, and the governments and people of Lagos and Ogun States.
“Nigerians will never forget Doyin Abiola’s leadership during her illustrious journalism career, her championing women’s empowerment, and her commitment to democracy,” he concluded.
President Tinubu prayed for the peaceful repose of her soul and for Nigeria to be blessed with more women of her calibre.
Life and Times of Dr Doyin Abiola
The late Doyin Abiola was a pioneering Nigerian journalist and the first woman to serve as editor of a national daily newspaper. She was Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of the National Concord, a paper owned by her late husband, Chief MKO Abiola, whom she married in 1981.
She earned a degree in English and Drama from the University of Ibadan in 1969 and began her journalism career at the Daily Sketch. There, she authored a column titled Tiro, focusing on issues of public concern, including gender equality.
In 1970, she travelled to the United States for a master’s degree in Journalism, later joining the Daily Times as a Features Writer and rising to become Group Features Editor. She obtained a PhD in communications and political science from New York University in 1979.
She returned to the Daily Times and joined its editorial board alongside respected figures such as Stanley Macebuh, Dele Giwa and Amma Ogan. She later joined the National Concord, where she became editor and subsequently its first female managing director/editor-in-chief in 1986.
Abiola’s media career spanned over three decades. She also served in several professional and academic roles, including as Chairperson of the Awards Nominating Panel at the first Nigerian Media Merit Award and a member of the Advisory Council for the Faculty of Social and Management Sciences at Ogun State University.
PIAK