NAWOJ Lagos Mourns First Female Editor In Nigeria, Dr. Doyin Abiola, Who Died At 82

The Lagos State Chapter of Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, has mourned the death of veteran journalist and media trailblazer, Dr. Doyin Abiola, who passed away on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at the age of 82.

This was disclosed in a condolence message issued by the Lagos Chairperson of the association, Jumoke Falayi Johnson.

Jumoke Falayi Johnson described Dr. Doyin Abiola as an excellent journalist, whose imprint became a guide to many women in journalism in Nigeria and around the world.

She said: “Dr. Doyin Abiola carried the spirit of possibility which we as NAWOJIANS believe in and pursue in Newsrooms, our communities, and through our daily assignments and engagements in the field”.

“She carried the torch of illumination for us, and though her watch has ended, the flame she lit in our hearts burns even more fiercely. She added.

Finally, the Chairperson of Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ Lagos State Chapter, commiserates with the entire Abiola family, associates, friends, and journalists over this great loss.

Meanwhile, recall that the news of Dr. Doyin Abiola’s death was announced in the early hours of Wednesday, August 6, 2025.

Dr. Doyin Abiola began her career at the Daily Sketch newspaper after her graduation in 1969.

She left Daily Sketch to acquire a Master’s degree in Journalism in America and returned to Nigeria to take up a role as a Features Writer at Daily Times, rising to become the Group Features Editor at the newspaper.

Dr. Abiola returned to the United States to study and there received a PhD in communications and political science in 1979 from New York University, returning to Nigeria again, to become a member of the editorial board at Daily Times.

She exited Daily Times and moved to the National Concord newspaper, where she rose to become the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief in 1986, an achievement which made her the first female Editor-in-Chief in Nigeria.

Doyin Abiola, who was married to the foremost politician and philanthropist, Chief MKO Abiola, received numerous honours and awards, one of which was a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 24th Diamond Award For Media Excellence.