By JKNewsMedia
FORMER PRESIDENT of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) and publisher of The Eagle Online (TEO), Dotun Oladipo, died on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at the age of 56 after he suddenly took ill at his office in the Ogba area of Lagos.
JKNewsMedia.com reports that the veteran journalist appeared to be in his usual state of health earlier in the day before he suddenly took ill at his office, adding that his death came as a shock to colleagues, friends and associates.
Oladipo was reportedly rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
He was a pioneer member and former President of GOCOP, serving as president from 2017 to 2021.
He was also the pioneer President of the Innovative Media Partners Cooperative Multipurpose Society (IMPCM).
Before moving into online publishing, Oladipo had built a career in the traditional media, working as a journalist and editor, including as a former Politics Editor of The PUNCH newspapers.
His experience in mainstream journalism provided a grounding in reporting, editing and newsroom management, which he later brought to digital publishing as publisher of TEO.
Oladipo was among the publishers who helped shape GOCOP during its early years, when online news publishing was still developing in Nigeria and publishers were coming together to build a stronger professional community.
As GOCOP President between 2017 and 2021, he devoted considerable time to the affairs of the Guild, representing the organisation at different engagements and working with members as online publishing continued to grow.
GOCOP President, Danlami Nmodu, described Oladipo’s death as painful for the Guild.
“Dotun played an important role in the development of GOCOP. He led the Guild for four years at a time when there was still a lot of work to be done to establish online publishers as an important part of the media. His contribution will always be remembered,” Nmodu said.
He added that Oladipo brought his experience as a journalist and publisher to the leadership of the Guild.
“Dotun understood journalism and he understood the business of publishing. He was passionate about the place of online media in Nigeria and he gave his time to the growth of the Guild. We are saddened by his passing,” Nmodu said.
Oladipo’s death came just over a year after he narrowly survived the Otedola Bridge tanker fire with his wife and daughter. His mechanic, Rotimi Olaleye, died in the incident, while Oladipo’s vehicle was destroyed.
Tributes have since poured in for the former GOCOP president and online media leader.
GOCOP extended its condolences to Oladipo’s family, the management and staff of The Eagle Online, and his friends and colleagues in the media industry.
The Guild also said it would work with his family and associates on plans to honour his memory.
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I feel deeply pained by Dotuns sudden exit. He was a very dutiful and upright younger colleague when I was at the Punch. Never failed to beam smiles even under work stress and always dedicated to duty. Never for once heard him raise his voice against anyone and he was a devout workaholic….
May his soul rest peacefully in the Lords bosom, Amen.
🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
I never met or related with him in person; but with all written about him in tributes, he must have made a real mark worthy of being remembered.