Doyin Abiola, MKO’s Wife, Dies @82
By Abdullahi Yusuf
Dr. Doyin Abiola, former Managing Director of National Concord, and wife of the late Chief MKO Abiola, has died at the age of 82.
Family sources confirmed that she died at approximately 9:15 p.m. on Tuesday after an illness.
Dr. Abiola made history as the first woman to serve as Editor and later Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of a national daily newspaper in Nigeria.
A formidable figure in Nigerian journalism, Doyin played a pivotal role in shaping media discourse and mentoring a generation of journalists during her over three-decade-long career at the National Concord.
Born in 1943, Doyin earned a degree in English and Drama from the University of Ibadan in 1969. Her journalism career began at the Daily Sketch, where she penned the widely followed column Tiro, tackling social justice and gender equity issues.
In 1970, Doyin left for the United States to pursue a Master’s degree in Journalism, and later returned to Nigeria to join the Daily Times as a Features Writer. She quickly rose through the ranks to become Group Features Editor.
In 1979, she obtained a Ph.D. in Communications and Political Science from New York University.
Upon her return, Doyin served on the editorial board of Daily Times alongside notable journalists including Stanley Macebuh, Dele Giwa, and Amma Ogan. In 1980, she became the pioneer Editor of National Concord and was appointed Managing Director in 1986.
Dr. Abiola married Chief MKO Abiola in 1981 and was a vocal and steadfast supporter throughout his political struggles, particularly after the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.