DOYIN Abiola, one of Nigeria’s most iconic media pioneers and the first Nigerian woman to become Editor-in-Chief of a national daily newspaper, has died at the age of 82.

A doctoral degree holder, she was one of the wives of the late business tycoon and politician, Moshood Kashimawo Abiola, the acclaimed winner of the annulled June 12, 1993, presidential election.

Her death was confirmed on Wednesday by Jamiu Abiola, one of Abiola’s sons, in a phone interview with Punch Online.

Media icon and barrier breaker

Abiola was widely revered for her groundbreaking achievements in journalism, her fearless advocacy for truth, and her leadership in the Nigerian media space, spanning more than three decades.

Born in 1943, she earned a degree in English and Drama from the University of Ibadan in 1969 and began her journalism career at Daily Sketch, where her column ‘Tiro’ gained popularity for addressing public and gender issues.

In 1970, she proceeded to the United States for postgraduate studies, culminating in a PhD in Communications and Political Science from New York University in 1979.

Upon returning to Nigeria, she joined Daily Times as a Features Writer, rising to Group Features Editor and later serving on the paper’s influential editorial board.

Her editorial acumen eventually led her to National Concord, where she made history as the paper’s first daily editor. In 1986, she was appointed Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief, which made her one of the most powerful media executives in Nigeria at the time.

Under her leadership, the Concord Group flourished, expanding its reach to publish 14 different newspapers and magazines.

Despite military clampdowns, including an 18 month proscription during General Sani Abacha’s regime, l Abiola remained committed to press freedom and ethical journalism.

A firm believer in merit over gender, she once turned down a “Woman Editor” role at Daily Times, arguing that the title underestimated her capabilities.

Her trailblazing stance would later pave the way for future generations of women in media.

Abiola also served the industry in numerous capacities, including chairing the Nigerian Media Merit Award’s nominating panel and sitting on Ogun State University’s advisory council.

She was named an Eisenhower Fellow in 1986 and later received the prestigious Diamond Awards for Media Excellence (DAME) Lifetime Achievement Award, becoming only the second woman to do so.

She also served as Chairperson of the CNN African Journalist of the Year Awards.

Throughout her career and personal life, she stood firmly by her husband during the years of political persecution and upheaval that followed the annulled 1993 election.

Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced by the family.