Dr Doyin, Wife of Late MKO Abiola passes away

Dr. Doyin Abiola, trailblazing journalist and wife of the late business mogul and winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola, has died.

Family sources confirmed that she passed away peacefully at exactly 9:15 p.m. on Tuesday after a brief illness.

A towering figure in Nigerian journalism, Dr. Abiola broke multiple barriers in her lifetime. She was the first Nigerian woman to be appointed editor of a daily newspaper and later became the Managing Director and Publisher of the National Concord, one of the country’s most influential publications in its time.

Through the turbulent years that followed the controversial annulment of the 1993 election, Dr. Abiola stood firmly by her husband, weathering political storms and enduring personal trials both at home and within the Concord media empire.

Born in Nigeria, Doyin Abiola earned her first degree in English and Drama from the University of Ibadan in 1969. She began her journalism career at the Daily Sketch, where she wrote the popular column “Tiro,” known for tackling issues of public interest and gender advocacy.

In 1970, she left for the United States to pursue a Master’s degree in Journalism. Upon her return, she joined the Daily Times as a Features Writer and quickly rose through the ranks to become Group Features Editor. Her academic pursuits continued at New York University, where she earned a Ph.D. in Communications and Political Science in 1979.

Dr. Abiola rejoined Daily Times after her doctorate and was appointed to the editorial board, working alongside media luminaries such as Stanley Macebuh, Dele Giwa, and Amma Ogan. Her time there was brief, as she was soon tapped to become the pioneer editor of the newly established National Concord. By 1986, she had risen to the role of Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, solidifying her status as the first Nigerian woman to hold that position in a national daily.

She married Chief MKO Abiola in 1981, with her career at National Concord spanning over three decades. Beyond the newsroom, Dr. Abiola played active roles in shaping Nigeria’s media landscape, serving in various professional and national capacities.

Her passing marks the end of an era, but her legacy as a fearless journalist, media pioneer, and patriot lives on.

Last updated: Just Now2025-08-07T09:40:27+01:00

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