Reflections And Tribute To Media Icon, Dr. Doyin Abiola

 

By Richard Ikiebe

Dr. Doyin Abiola, a pioneering figure in Nigerian journalism, passed away on August 5, 2025, at the age of 82. As one of the first women to break barriers in the male-dominated field, her career spanned decades, marked by bold storytelling, advocacy for gender issues, and leadership roles at major publications. 

Dr. Doyin Abiola 

In light of her recent passing, the following draws from a March 2013 interview she granted to me at the School of Media and Communication studio, offering insights into her life, challenges, and vision for Nigerian media. This transcript, provided in the query, captures her candid reflections and serves as a testament to her enduring legacy. 

Early Career and Breaking Barriers 

Dr. Abiola entered journalism somewhat by coincidence after graduating from the University of Ibadan with a degree in English and Drama. Initially placed on the women’s desk at Sketch newspaper, she launched a column called “Tiro” (eyebrow pencil), which became a platform for discussing gender issues. 

Boldly declaring her independence as a single professional woman, she challenged societal norms at a time when few women were in the field. Her early experiences included an internship in the United States, where she immersed herself in American culture, easing her transition to pursuing a Master’s at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She later returned to Nigeria, driven by her love for her home country, and joined Daily Times as a features writer after declining a stereotypical “woman editor” role. 

A pivotal moment came in the 1970s when she covered a devastating drought in Northern Nigeria, producing a five-part series that caught the attention of then Head of State General Yakubu Gowon. This assignment not only highlighted her investigative skills but also built lasting connections across Nigeria’s regions, emphasizing her belief in journalism as a tool for national unity. 

Leadership at Daily Times and Internal Conflicts 

At Daily Times, Dr. Abiola navigated a challenging environment under leaders like Alhaji Babatunde Jose, whom she credited with professionalising Nigerian journalism by hiring graduates and elevating standards. However, she critiqued his autocratic style, earning her the nickname “Joan of Arc” for her outspokenness on issues like workplace inequalities. 

She recounted the “palace coup” at Daily Times following the 1975 military coup that brought General Murtala Mohammed to power. Tensions arose from critical coverage of government actions, leading to Jose’s removal. Dr. Abiola left on principle, pursuing a PhD, and later returned under new management, enjoying intellectually stimulating work on the 

editorial board with figures like Stanley Macebuh. Her departure from Daily Times was driven by a commitment to independence, as the paper shifted under government influence. 

Building Concord and Facing Challenges 

In the early 1980s, Dr. Abiola became editor at National Concord, founded by MKO Abiola, making her one of Nigeria’s first female editors of a major daily. She built it into a formidable publication, expanding with community editions in Yoruba (Isokan), Hausa (Amana), and Igbo (Udoka) to foster inclusivity and local employment. 

Challenges included navigating a non-journalist-publisher’s expectations, resisting political pressures during Abiola’s 1993 presidential bid, and government crackdowns, such as seizures of newsprint and detentions under regimes like General Muhammadu Buhari’s. 

Drawing inspiration from mentors like Katharine Graham of The Washington Post—whom she met as an Eisenhower Fellow in 1986—Dr. Abiola emphasised professionalism amid family business constraints. She highlighted the precarious nature of publishing in Nigeria, where government interference could devastate operations, yet stressed the need for fiscal sustainability through strategies like weekly business reports. 

Vision for Nigerian Media and National Unity 

Dr. Abiola viewed the media as essential for transforming Nigeria into a cohesive nation- state, advocating for well-educated journalists to promote transformative ideas over rumour- mongering. She criticised sectional biases among journalists and called for national perspectives, arguing that ethnic divisions are elite-driven rather than reflective of everyday interactions among Nigerians. Her community newspapers exemplified efforts to bridge divides, creating a sense of belonging across linguistic groups. 

She warned of the media’s declining moral authority, attributing it to poor management, inadequate wages, and a shift toward sensationalism. For the future, she urged investments in journalism education, import waivers for materials, and adherence to professional codes to restore the media’s role as the Fourth Estate. Reflecting on Nigeria’s potential, she emphasised unity through diversity, noting that breaking up would be perilous given the country’s size and population as assets for economic growth. 

Legacy and Final Thoughts 

Dr. Abiola’s interview reveals a trailblazer who combined intellect, courage, and pragmatism to advance journalism and gender equality in Nigeria. Her experiences—from drought reporting to leading Concord—underscore her commitment to truth-telling and national cohesion. In her words, journalism should “speak truth to power” while ensuring fiscal independence to avoid compromise. 

As Nigeria mourns her loss, her insights remain relevant, urging the media to reclaim its transformative power amid ongoing challenges. Her passing marks the end of an era, but her contributions continue to inspire future generations of journalists. 

Dr. Doyin Abiola Key Career Highlights 

Early Career: Dr. Abiola began her journalism journey at Sketch newspaper after graduating from the University of Ibadan with a degree in English and Drama. She started the popular “Tiro” column focusing on gender issues, establishing herself as a bold voice for professional single women. 

Daily Times Era: After completing her Masters at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, she joined Daily Times under CEO Alhaji Babatunde Jose. Her breakthrough came with her five-part series on the devastating drought affecting River Niger in Northern Nigeria in the 1970s, which caught the attention of Head of State General Gowon and influenced government drought relief efforts. 

The Daily Times Palace Coup: She witnessed and was directly affected by the internal upheaval at Daily Times following the 1975 military coup that brought General Murtala Mohammed to power. The conflict between Jose and editors like Gbolabo Ogunsanwo ultimately led to Jose’s removal and her decision to leave on principle. 

Concord Leadership: She became Editor-in-Chief of The Concord under publisher MKO Abiola, making her mark as a major media leader. Her 1986 Eisenhower Fellowship allowed her to meet Washington Post’s Katharine Graham, providing valuable mentorship for running a family-owned media business. 

Major Themes and Insights 

Women in Journalism: As one of the first prominent female editors in Nigeria, she faced unique challenges but refused to be intimidated by male colleagues, insisting on professional recognition regardless of gender. 

Media and National Unity: She argues that ethnic divisions are primarily an elite problem, not a grassroots issue, citing examples of inter-ethnic cooperation in Nigerian markets and communities. 

Business Challenges: She emphasizes that media houses must first survive as viable businesses before they can effectively serve their watchdog role, highlighting MKO Abiola’s systematic approach to financial management. 

Professional Standards: She’s deeply concerned about the decline in journalistic standards, arguing that journalism should attract “the brightest and best” and that the profession has lost moral authority by abandoning its core principles. 

Government-Media Relations: She criticizes both government interference (citing detention of editors, seizure of newsprint, and indirect economic pressure) and the media’s failure to maintain independence. 

Dr. Ikiebe is a scholar of Contemporary Media History and Leadership at the School of Media and Communication, SMC, of the Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos.