Dr. Doyin Abiola, Nigeria’s First Female Newspaper MD and Wife of MKO Abiola, Dies at 82

Dr. Doyin Abiola, trailblazing journalist and wife of the late Chief MKO Abiola, has passed away at the age of 82.

Family sources confirmed that she died peacefully around 9:15 p.m. on Tuesday, August 5, 2025.

A pioneer in Nigerian journalism, Dr. Abiola made history as the first female Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of a national daily newspaper in Nigeria—National Concord—where she served for over three decades.

Her journalism career began in 1969 at Daily Sketch, where she launched the column Tiro, tackling public and gender issues. In 1970, she moved to the United States to pursue a master’s degree in Journalism and later earned a PhD in Communications and Political Science from New York in 1979.

Upon her return, she joined Daily Times as a Features Writer and rose to become Group Features Editor before being invited to join the editorial board alongside notable editors like Dele Giwa, Stanley Macebuh, and Amma Ogan.

She later became the pioneer daily editor at National Concord and in 1986, was appointed Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief, breaking new ground for women in Nigerian media.

Dr. Abiola married Chief MKO Abiola in 1981 and remained an influential voice in journalism and public affairs throughout her life.

She is remembered not just for her professional excellence, but also for her commitment to ethical journalism, leadership, and advocacy for women in media.