Tinubu mourns Doyin Abiola, hails her as media trailblazer

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has paid a glowing tribute to the late Dr. Doyinsola Hamidat Abiola, describing her as a media pioneer, advocate for democracy, and symbol of integrity, following her passing at the age of 82.

In a heartfelt statement released on Wednesday, Tinubu said he received news of her death with “deep sadness”, recalling her groundbreaking contributions to journalism and her courageous role during Nigeria’s struggle for democracy.

“Doyin Abiola was an Amazon and an icon in Nigerian journalism,” President Tinubu said.

“She broke the gender barrier, becoming the first woman to edit a national newspaper and later the first managing director of a daily newspaper.”

Dr. Abiola began her journalism career in 1969 as a reporter with the now-defunct Daily Sketch after graduating from the University of Ibadan.

Her rise through the ranks was historic: from reporter to editor and eventually to managing director of the Concord Group, owned by her late husband, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola.

“Her immense contributions to journalism and gender equity laid a foundation for generations of women,” Tinubu noted. “But her impact on our democracy was even more profound.”

In 1980, she became the pioneer editor of National Concord and went on to oversee all the Concord titles, including the Weekend Concord, which revolutionized human-centered reporting in Nigeria.

Beyond the newsroom, Dr. Abiola stood firmly for justice. During the political crisis following the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election—won by her husband—she remained vocal and resolute, despite the military clampdown that led to the shutdown of the Concord Group.

“She did not stand aside,” Tinubu said. “She joined the fray, demanding the validation of the election. She was a soldier of democracy in her own right.”

The President also shared a personal connection to the deceased, describing her as more than a media figure.

“I had a good relationship with the late Doyin, which stemmed from my close relationship with MKO Abiola,” he added.

President Tinubu extended his condolences to the Abiola and Aboaba families, her only daughter, Doyinsola, and the governments of Lagos and Ogun States.

“May this nation be blessed with more women of Doyin Abiola’s calibre and pedigree,” he concluded. “And may her soul rest in peace.”

Dr. Doyin Abiola’s death marks the end of an era, but her legacy—spanning journalism, women’s leadership, and democratic activism—will remain etched in Nigeria’s history.