Dr. Doyin Abiola, the first Nigerian woman to become editor-in-chief of a national daily newspaper, passed away last night. 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. She later obtained a PhD in Communications and Political Science from New York University in 1979.

Upon returning 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 alongside Stanley Macebuh, Dele Giwa, and Amma Ogan. Doyin became 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.

Under her leadership, the Concord Group expanded to publish as many as 14 newspapers and magazines. Despite facing pressure during General Sani Abacha’s regime, she remained committed to truth and justice in journalism.

Doyin served the industry in various capacities, chairing 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. She was named an Eisenhower Fellow in 1986 and received the Diamond Awards for Media Excellence Lifetime Achievement Award for her outstanding contribution to journalism and democracy in Nigeria. She also served as Chairperson of the CNN African Journalist of the Year Awards.