Dr. Hamidat Doyinsola Abiola, trailblazing Nigerian journalist, former Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of National Concord, and wife of the late Chief MKO Abiola, has died at the age of 82.
According to family sources, she passed away at 9:15 p.m. on Tuesday, following a period of illness.
A towering figure in Nigerian journalism, Dr. Abiola was the first Nigerian woman to serve as editor and later managing director of a national newspaper, leaving an indelible mark on the country’s media landscape. Her tenure at National Concord spanned more than three decades, during which she influenced public discourse and mentored generations of journalists.
Born in 1943, Abiola graduated with a degree in English and Drama from the University of Ibadan in 1969. She began her journalism career at Daily Sketch, where her column, Tiro, gained popularity for its incisive commentary on social issues, especially gender equity.
In 1970, she travelled to the United States to pursue a Master’s degree in Journalism, and on her return, joined the Daily Times as a Features Writer. She quickly rose to become Group Features Editor before going back to the U.S. to earn a Ph.D. in Communications and Political Science from New York University in 1979.
She returned to Nigeria and joined the Daily Times editorial board, working alongside revered journalists like Stanley Macebuh, Dele Giwa, and Amma Ogan. In 1980, she was appointed the pioneer editor of National Concord, and by 1986, became its Managing Director.
Dr. Abiola married Chief MKO Abiola in 1981 and was a firm and vocal supporter during his political trials, particularly following the annulment of the historic June 12, 1993, presidential election which her husband was widely believed to have won.
Beyond newsroom leadership, she played key roles in national media development. She chaired the nomination panel for the Nigerian Media Merit Award (NMMA) and served on the advisory council of the Faculty of Social and Management Sciences at Ogun State University.
Her lifelong commitment to journalism was recognised with several honours, including the Eisenhower Fellowship in 1986 and the Diamond Award for Media Excellence (DAME) Lifetime Achievement Award — becoming only the second woman to receive the latter, after Mrs. Omobola Onajide.
Dr. Doyin Abiola is remembered as a pioneering force in journalism, a courageous leader, and a symbol of professionalism. Her legacy continues to inspire across generations.
