By Olokuta Rofiat
Dr. Doyin Abiola, veteran journalist, media pioneer, and wife of late business mogul and politician Chief M.K.O. Abiola, has died at the age of 82.
Family sources confirmed she passed away around 9:15 p.m. on Tuesday after a brief illness.
Dr. Abiola made history as the first Nigerian woman to become Editor-in-Chief and later Managing Director of a national newspaper.
She led the Concord Group of Newspapers from 1986, where she set editorial standards and mentored generations of journalists.
Her career began in 1969 at Daily Sketch, before stints at Daily Times and later National Concord, founded by her husband.
She also authored the influential column Tiro, known for bold commentary on political and social issues.
Married to M.K.O. Abiola in 1981, she stood firmly by him through his presidential bid and incarceration after the annulled June 12, 1993 election, all while maintaining leadership at Concord.
A graduate of English and Drama from the University of Ibadan, she earned a Ph.D. in Communications and Political Science from New York University in 1979.
Dr. Abiola received numerous awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Diamond Awards for Media Excellence (DAME), and is celebrated as a trailblazer for women in Nigerian journalism.
She is survived by her children and extended family. Her death marks the end of an era and leaves a lasting legacy in Nigerian media.
