MKO’s Wife, Doyin Abiola Is Dead

Dr. Doyin Abiola, a pioneering Nigerian journalist and former Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of National Concord, has died at the age of 82.

She was also one of the wives of the late Chief MKO Abiola, winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election.

Her death was confirmed on Wednesday by Jamiu Abiola, one of MKO Abiola’s sons, during a phone interview with PUNCH.

“Yes, she passed away last night,” he said

Dr. Doyin Abiola holds the distinction of being the first Nigerian woman to serve as editor-in-chief of a national daily.

With a media career that spanned over 30 years, she broke through gender barriers and played a major role in shaping journalism in Nigeria.

Born in 1943, she graduated from the University of Ibadan in 1969 with a degree in English and Drama.

She began her journalism career at Daily Sketch, where her column “Tiro” became popular for its focus on social and gender-related issues.

In 1970, she traveled to the U.S. for further studies, eventually earning a Ph.D. in Communications and Political Science from New York University in 1979.

Upon her return to Nigeria, she joined Daily Times as a Features Writer and rose through the ranks to become Group Features Editor.

She later joined the paper’s editorial board, working alongside notable journalists like Stanley Macebuh and Dele Giwa.

Dr. Abiola played a crucial role in the rise of National Concord. She became its first daily editor and was later appointed Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief in 1986, a groundbreaking position for a woman at the time.

Under her leadership, the Concord Group expanded to include up to 14 publications.

Notably, she once rejected the title of “Woman Editor” at Daily Times, insisting that her work be evaluated on merit, not gender. Her stance set a powerful precedent in a male-dominated industry.

During the military rule of General Sani Abacha, National Concord faced government pushback.

Soldiers stormed the newspaper’s premises, destroying its printing equipment, and the paper was shut down for 18 months.

Despite the pressure, Dr. Abiola stood firm in her commitment to journalistic integrity.

Her influence extended beyond the newsroom. She chaired the first Nigerian Media Merit Award nominating panel.

She further served on the advisory council of Ogun State University’s Faculty of Social and Management Sciences. She was also an Eisenhower Fellow in 1986.

In recognition of her impact on journalism and democracy, she received the DAME Lifetime Achievement Award, becoming only the second woman to earn the honour.

She also chaired the CNN African Journalist of the Year Awards.

Throughout her life, Dr. Doyin Abiola remained a strong presence beside her late husband, MKO Abiola, especially during the political unrest that followed the annulled 1993 election.

Details about her funeral will be shared by the family in due course.

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