Nigeria: Dr. Doyin Abiola, Wife of MKO Abiola, Passes Away

By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu

Dr. Doyin Abiola, the renowned Nigerian journalist and widow of the late business mogul and politician, MKO Abiola, has passed away at the age of 82. The news was confirmed by Jamiu Abiola, one of MKO’s sons, in a phone call to PUNCH Online on Wednesday.

“Yes, she passed away last night,” he stated.

Dr. Abiola was a trailblazer in Nigerian journalism, becoming the first woman in the country to hold the position of Editor-in-Chief at a national newspaper. She played a pivotal role as the Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of National Concord, significantly influencing public discourse and helping expand the reach of the Concord Media Group.

Born in 1943, Dr. Abiola’s journey into journalism began after she graduated with a degree in English and Drama from the University of Ibadan in 1969. Her career took off at Daily Sketch, where she wrote a column called “Tiro” that addressed both public and gender issues. She furthered her studies in the United States and earned a PhD in Communications and Political Science from New York University in 1979.

Returning to Nigeria, she joined Daily Times as a Features Writer and eventually rose to the position of Group Features Editor. Despite being offered the title of “Woman Editor,” which she turned down, Dr. Abiola’s success was built on merit, and she continued to ascend in the ranks. She went on to join the editorial board of Daily Times, where she worked alongside prominent journalists like Stanley Macebuh, Dele Giwa, and Amma Ogan.

In 1986, she made history by becoming the first daily editor of National Concord and was later appointed the Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of the publication, making her one of the most influential women in Nigerian media at the time. Under her leadership, the Concord Group grew to publish as many as 14 newspapers and magazines.

Her career was not without obstacles. During General Sani Abacha’s military rule, National Concord was targeted by soldiers, leading to the shutdown of the publication for 18 months. However, Dr. Abiola remained unwavering in her dedication to journalistic integrity.

In addition to her media work, Dr. Abiola contributed to the development of Nigerian journalism in various capacities. She chaired the inaugural Nigerian Media Merit Award Nominating Panel and served on the Advisory Council for the Faculty of Social and Management Sciences at Ogun State University. She also became an Eisenhower Fellow in 1986 and chaired the CNN African Journalist of the Year Awards.

Her excellence in the media industry earned her the prestigious Diamond Award for Media Excellence Lifetime Achievement Award, making her only the second woman to receive the honor.

Throughout her life, Dr. Abiola was a steadfast supporter of her late husband, MKO Abiola, who was the presumed winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election. She remained loyal to him during the turbulent political events that followed.

The family has yet to announce funeral arrangements.

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Chioma Ndukwu

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