By Joke Kujenya
NIGERIA’s PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has paid tribute to the late Dr Doyinsola Hamidat Abiola, describing her as a media trailblazer, gender equity advocate, and soldier of democracy.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the President confirmed her passing at the age of 82 and recounted her decades-long impact on journalism and the nation’s democratic struggle.
Dr Abiola, a former managing director and editor-in-chief of the defunct Concord Group of newspapers, was the first woman to edit a national daily in Nigeria and to head a major newspaper organisation.
Her journalism career began in 1969 as a reporter with the now-defunct Daily Sketch after graduating from the University of Ibadan with a degree in English and Drama.
She rose through the ranks to become the pioneer editor of the National Concord in 1980, later overseeing all Concord titles, including launching the Weekend Concord.
President Tinubu said her editorial leadership “set new standards for making people the focus of reporting” and paved the way for future generations of female journalists.
The President recalled her political engagement during the 1993 presidential campaign of her late husband, Chief MKO Abiola, noting her role in directing media strategy and mobilisation.
Following the annulment of the June 12 election, she actively joined calls for the validation of the results despite the closure of the Concord Group by the military regime.
President Tinubu also praised her integrity, tenacity, and commitment to public service, describing her as “a soldier of democracy in her own right.”
He expressed condolences to the Abiola dynasty and Aboaba families, her only daughter, and the governments and people of Lagos and Ogun States.
“Nigerians will never forget Doyin Abiola’s leadership during her illustrious journalism career, her championing of women’s empowerment, and her commitment to democracy,” the statement read.
He notes that Dr Abiola’s career and advocacy remain a defining chapter in Nigerian media history, marking her as a pioneering voice in both press freedom and democratic resilience.
