President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has paid tribute to Dr. Doyinsola Hamidat Abiola, hailing her as a trailblazer in Nigerian journalism and a steadfast defender of democracy. Dr. Abiola, the first female editor of a national newspaper and former Managing Director of the now-defunct Concord Group, passed away on Wednesday, August 6, at the age of 82.
In a statement from the State House, President Tinubu described the veteran journalist as “an Amazon and an icon in Nigerian journalism,” recalling her start as a reporter with the Daily Sketch in 1969 after graduating from the University of Ibadan.
Dr. Abiola made history by becoming the first woman to edit and manage a national daily, earning widespread recognition for her role in founding National Concord in 1980 and launching Weekend Concord, which revolutionised human-interest reporting in Nigeria.
President Tinubu also praised her courage during Nigeria’s democratic struggles, particularly in the wake of the annulled 1993 presidential election won by her husband, the late Chief MKO Abiola. Despite intense military repression, she remained resolute, defending press freedom and advocating for the recognition of the June 12 mandate.
“She was a soldier of democracy in her own right,” Tinubu stated. “Her groundbreaking contributions to journalism, gender equity, and democratic ideals paved the way for generations of Nigerian women.”
The President extended condolences to the Abiola and Aboaba families, including Dr. Abiola’s daughter, Doyinsola, as well as to the governments of Lagos and Ogun States.
“May her soul rest in peace, and may Nigeria continue to produce women of her strength, intellect, and conviction,” Tinubu concluded.
