Doyin Abiola: Tinubu Mourns as MKO Abiola's Wife Dies, "Goodnight, Soldier of Democracy"

• Veteran journalist Dr. Doyin Abiola, the wife of MKO Abiola, passed away on August 5, 2025
• President Bola Tinubu penned a heartfelt tribute to the late journalist as he extols her legacy in journalism and her contribution towards Nigeria's democracy
• Brief history of late Doyin Abiola, her legacy in journalism and her role in fighting for Nigeria's democracy

Don't miss out! Join Legit.ng's Sports News channel on WhatsApp now!

FCT, Abuja - President Bola Tinubu has penned a heartfelt tribute to veteran journalist Dr. Doyinsola Hamidat Abiola, the wife of Chief MKO Abiola, winner of the annulled June 12, 1993, presidential election.

The news of Doyin Abiola's death, former Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of National Concord, broke on Wednesday, August 6, as she reportedly passed on Tuesday, August 5.

Legit.ng gathered that Abiola died at the age of 82 at exactly 9:15 p.m. on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, after an illness.

Abiola, the first Nigerian woman to serve as an editor of a Nigerian daily newspaper, was born in 1943.

President Tinubu, in a statement on Wednesday, August 6, described her as a "media trailblazer" and a "soldier of democracy".

The statement reads, "I received with deep sadness the news early on Wednesday of the passing of Dr. Doyinsola Hamidat Abiola, a trailblazing journalist, editor, and former managing director of the defunct Concord Group of newspapers and wife of the late Bashorun MKO Abiola.

According to the statement, the president extolled her legacy in journalism and her contributions towards gender equity.

"She broke the gender barrier, becoming the first woman to edit a national newspaper and the first Managing Director of a daily newspaper.

"Her immense contributions to journalism and gender equity laid a foundation for generations of women. Her impact on our democracy was even more profound." The statement explained

Tinubu sends his condolences to the family of the deceased, the people of Lagos State and Ogun State for the loss, as he prays for her peaceful transition.

"I commiserate with the Abiola and Aboaba families, her only daughter, Doyinsola, and the government and people of Lagos and Ogun States.

"May her soul rest in peace. May this nation be blessed with more women of Doyin Abiola's calibre and pedigree." The statement concluded

Brief history of Doyin Abiola

Dr. Doyin Abiola, an eminent journalist, bagged a degree in English and Drama in 1969 from the University of Ibadan in Oyo State.

Abiola worked with the Daily Sketch Newspaper, writing a column called ‘Tiro,’ after she graduated from the university.

Her column addressed sundry issues of public concern, including gender matters. In 1970, she left the Daily Sketch Newspaper to pursue a master’s degree programme in Journalism in the United States.

In 1980, she took on the role of pioneer Editor at National Concord, a publication owned by the late MKO Abiola. Later, she rose to become managing director and editor-in-chief of the Concord group of publications. She also founded Weekend Concord, which innovated in prioritising people-focused reporting.

Doyin, as the wife of MKO, gained exposure to politics and developed a strong interest in it, especially during her husband's 1993 presidential campaign in Nigeria.

Following the annulment of the June 12 election, which her husband had won, she took a stand. Even as the military regime shut down the Concord Group, she actively joined the fight for validation of the election results. She proved herself to be a formidable advocate for democracy.

Doyin Abiola dies at 82

Legit.ng previously reported that Dr. Doyin Abiola, the wife of the winner of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, Chief MKO Abiola, has passed on.

It was gathered that Dr Abiola died at the age of 82 at exactly 9.15 pm on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, after an illness.