Ex-Daily Times editor Doyin Abiola dies at 82
Folio Media Group (FMG), publishers of Daily Times, has expressed sadness over the death of Dr Doyin Abiola, a former staff and editorial board member of the newspaper.
Abiola died on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at the age of 82.
She was the wife of the late MKO Abiola, winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election.
In a statement on Wednesday, Fidelis Anosike, chairman and publisher of FMG, described her passing as “shocking”, adding that she died at a time the media industry and the nation needed her wealth of experience the most.
“It is with great shock and sadness that I have received the news of the passing of Dr. Doyin Abiola, a former Features Writer with Daily Times Newspapers who rose to the position of Group Features Editor and subsequently, a member of its Editorial Board,” Anosike said.
“As at the 70s, it was big news for a woman to hold such top position in the nation’s media industry and Doyin, in deed, distinguished herself and rose to the topmost of the Features Desk.
“That she later moved on to become the first woman editor of a daily newspaper of Nigeria, was a loud testimony of the stuff she was made of, as a committed professional.
“The late Mrs. Doyin Abiola was consummate journalist, writer, advocate of social justice and champion of women’s rights. For the pioneer positions she held in Nigeria’s media industry and for distinguishing herself in subsequent leadership positions, Doyin was a pathfinder to women journalists in particular and an inspiration to the media industry in general.”
Anosike said the Daily Times family joins well-meaning Nigerians and the global media industry to mourn her loss and pray that her family be comforted.
“We at Folio Media Group, and Daily Times in particular, join the rest of well-meaning Nigerians and the global media industry to mourn the demise of Dr. Doyin Abiola and pray that her family be comforted,” he said.
He urged the Abiola family to take consolation in the fact that she lived a fulfilled life and contributed immensely to Nigeria and humanity before her passing at 82.
Abiola studied English and Drama at the University of Ibadan, graduating in 1969.
She began her journalism career at the Daily Sketch, where she wrote a public affairs column titled Tiro, before joining Daily Times as a Features Writer. She rose to become Group Features Editor.
She later earned a PhD in communications and political science from New York University in 1979. Upon her return, she was appointed to the Daily Times editorial board, working alongside Stanley Macebuh, Dele Giwa and Amma Ogan.
She moved to National Concord, where she became the pioneer daily editor. In 1986, she was appointed managing director/editor-in-chief — becoming the first Nigerian woman to head a national daily.
Her career at National Concord spanned three decades. She also served in various capacities in the media industry, including as chairperson of the Awards Nominating Panel at the first Nigerian Media Merit Award (NMMA), and a member of the advisory council, Faculty of Social and Management Sciences, Ogun State University.
Abiola received the Eisenhower Fellowship in 1986 and was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 24th Diamond Awards for Media Excellence (DAME), making her the second woman to receive the award after Omobola Onajide.
