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

Her passing was confirmed on Wednesday by Jamiu Abiola, son of the late Chief MKO Abiola, in a statement to PUNCH Online. “Yes, she passed away last night,” he said.

Widely regarded as Nigeria’s first female editor-in-chief of a national daily, Dr. Abiola spent over 30 years shaping the landscape of Nigerian journalism. She broke gender barriers and became a symbol of excellence, courage, and merit in a field once dominated by men.

Born in 1943, she studied English and Drama at the University of Ibadan, graduating in 1969. She began her journalism career at Daily Sketch, where her column "Tiro" gained national attention for its focus on public and gender issues.

She later earned a PhD in Communications and Political Science from New York University in 1979, after which she returned to Nigeria and joined the Daily Times. Though she was initially offered the role of “Woman Editor,” she declined, insisting on being judged by merit, not gender. She eventually rose to become Group Features Editor.

Dr. Abiola would later become the pioneer daily editor of National Concord, and in 1986, she was appointed Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief, the first Nigerian woman to hold such a position. Under her leadership, the Concord Group expanded significantly, publishing up to 14 titles across newspapers and magazines, making it one of the largest media houses in Nigeria at the time.

Her tenure was marked by journalistic integrity and resilience. During General Sani Abacha’s military regime, soldiers invaded the Concord premises, destroyed its printing presses, and proscribed the paper for 18 months. Dr. Abiola stood firm, maintaining her commitment to truth and justice.

Beyond the newsroom, she served in several influential capacities:Chair, Awards Nominating Panel of the Nigerian Media Merit Award, Advisory Council Member, Ogun State University Faculty of Social and Management Sciences, Eisenhower Fellow (1986), and Chairperson, CNN African Journalist of the Year Awards.

She was also a recipient of the Diamond Awards for Media Excellence (DAME) Lifetime Achievement Award, becoming only the second woman to receive the prestigious honour.

Dr. Abiola was married to the late Chief MKO Abiola, winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, and was a steadfast pillar of support during his years of political persecution and imprisonment.

Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced by the family.