Doyin Abiola, Journalism Icon, MKO’s Wife, Dies at 82
Dr. Doyin Abiola, the first Nigerian woman to edit a national newspaper, former Managing Director of National Concord, and wife of the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola, is dead. She was aged 82.
She died at 9:15 p.m. on Tuesday following a period of illness, according to family sources.
A towering figure in Nigerian journalism, Dr. Abiola broke barriers as the first female editor and later managing director/editor-in-chief of a national daily.
Her leadership at National Concord spanned over three decades, during which she shaped public discourse, mentored generations of journalists, and upheld the principles of editorial integrity.
Born in 1943, she earned a degree in English and Drama from the University of Ibadan in 1969 and began her career at the Daily Sketch, where her column Tiro addressed pressing societal issues, particularly those affecting women.
She later pursued a Master’s degree in Journalism in the United States and returned to Nigeria to join the Daily Times, rising to the position of Group Features Editor. In 1979, she obtained a Ph.D. in Communications and Political Science from New York University.
Her professional journey was marked by distinction, but her personal life was equally defined by resilience.
As the wife of Chief MKO Abiola, she bore the weight of political persecution and personal anguish, especially during the tumultuous aftermath of the annulled June 12, 1993, presidential election. Throughout those years, she remained a steadfast figure, balancing the demands of her editorial leadership with the emotional toll of her husband’s incarceration and eventual death.
Dr. Doyin Abiola also served the media industry in various capacities, including chairing the nomination panel for the Nigerian Media Merit Award (NMMA) and advising the Faculty of Social and Management Sciences at Ogun State University.
Her contributions earned her numerous accolades, including the Diamond Award for Media Excellence (DAME) Lifetime Achievement Award and the prestigious Eisenhower Fellowship in 1986.
Her life was a testament to courage, intellect, and unwavering commitment to truth.
She leaves behind a legacy that continues to inspire journalists, women, and advocates of democratic ideals across Nigeria and beyond.
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