Doyin Abiola is a pioneering Nigerian journalist and media executive who made history as the first Nigerian woman to serve as editor of a national daily newspaper.
Born Adedoyinsola Aboaba, but more popularly known as Dr Doyin Abiola following her marriage to late Billionaire business mogul and Politician, Bashorun MKO Abiola.
She was the former Managing Director and Publisher of National Concord, one of Nigeria’s most influential publications in its time.
Born in Nigeria, she studied English and Drama at the University of Ibadan, graduating in 1969. That same year, she began her journalism career at the Daily Sketch, where she also wrote a regular column titled Tiro, which tackled a range of public interest issues, including gender equality.
In 1970, she left Daily Sketch and travelled to the United States to pursue a Master’s degree in Journalism.
Upon her return to Nigeria, she joined the Daily Times as a Features Writer and later rose to become Group Features Editor.
She returned to the US to complete a PhD in Communications and Political Science at New York University, which she obtained in 1979.
After her doctoral studies, she rejoined the Daily Times and was appointed to the editorial board, where she worked with notable journalists such as Stanley Macebuh, Dele Giwa and Amma Ogan.
Her stay was brief, as she was soon invited to join the newly established National Concord newspaper as its pioneer daily editor.
She was later promoted to Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief in 1986, becoming the first Nigerian woman to lead a national daily newspaper.
Her tenure at National Concord spanned over three decades.
She was married to Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola, the late businessman and publisher of National Concord, in 1981. As his wife, she remained a steady figure during the political upheaval following the annulment of the 1993 presidential election, which her husband was widely believed to have won.
Beyond journalism, Dr Doyin Abiola served the Nigerian media industry in various capacities.
She chaired the Awards Nominating Panel at the inaugural Nigerian Media Merit Award and was a member of the Advisory Council of the Faculty of Social and Management Sciences at Ogun State University.
Her legacy endures as a symbol of journalistic excellence and female leadership in Nigeria’s media landscape with late former President Muhammadu Buhari patying glowing tribute to her on her 80th birthday in January 2023.
