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From ‘Tiro’ to Concord: Inside Doyin Abiola’s Fearless Media Journey

Published

2 months ago

August 6, 2025

Editor

Dr. Doyin Abiola was a trailblazing figure in Nigerian journalism, breaking new ground as the first woman to edit and lead a national daily newspaper, serving as Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of National Concord.

Her remarkable career shattered gender barriers and left an enduring legacy in the media industry.

Spanning over three decades, her work championed democratic ideals, challenged societal norms, and inspired generations of journalists.

Through her bold leadership and fearless voice, she transformed Nigerian media and mentored countless professionals.

Below are eight astonishing facts about her.

First Female Editor in Nigeria: Dr. Doyin Abiola became the first Nigerian woman to edit a national daily newspaper, taking on the role at The National Concord in 1980. By 1986, she had become the first woman to serve as Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of a Nigerian daily.

Fearless Columnist: Starting her career in 1969 at Daily Sketch, Abiola wrote the influential “Tiro” column, addressing critical social and gender issues, establishing herself as a bold voice in Nigerian journalism.

Academic Excellence: She graduated from the University of Ibadan in 1969 with a degree in English and Drama, later earning a master’s in Journalism and a PhD in Communications and Political Science from New York University in 1979.

Three-Decade Media Career: Abiola’s over 30-year tenure at National Concord saw her rise from editor to Managing Director, guiding the newspaper through challenging times and cementing its status as a leading Nigerian media outlet.

Advocate for Democracy: As the widow of Chief Moshood Abiola, the winner of the annulled 1993 presidential election, she used her platform at National Concord to champion democratic ideals and resist political oppression.

Prestigious Awards: Abiola received the Diamond Award for Media Excellence Lifetime Achievement Award, becoming only the second woman to earn this honor, and was granted an Eisenhower Fellowship in 1986 for her journalism contributions.

Media Industry Leadership: She shaped Nigeria’s media landscape as Chairperson of the inaugural Nigerian Media Merit Award’s Nominating Panel and as a member of the Advisory Council for Ogun State University’s Faculty of Social and Management Sciences.

Mentorship Legacy: Working with journalism icons like Stanley Macebuh, Dele Giwa, and Amma Ogan at Daily Times, Abiola mentored numerous journalists, leaving a lasting impact through her editorial leadership and commitment to excellence.
(PUNCH)

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NiMet Predicts Three-day Rain, Thunderstorms From Monday

Published

14 hours ago

September 21, 2025

Editor

News

JUST IN: Ooni Visits Olubadan-designate Ladoja In Ibadan

Published

19 hours ago

September 21, 2025

Editor

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, on Sunday, paid a visit to the Olubadan designate, Rashidi Ladoja, at his Bodija private residence in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The PUNCH reports that Oba Ladoja will be installed as the 44th Olubadan on Friday, September 26, 2025, following the demise of the 43rd Olubadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, who joined his ancestors on Monday, July 7, 2025, at the age of 90 years.

The two paramount rulers are currently exchanging pleasantries.

Details later…

News

JUST IN: FG Revokes 1,263 Mineral Licenses Over Unpaid Fees

Published

20 hours ago

September 21, 2025

Editor

The Federal Government through the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development has announced a fresh revocation of not less than 1,263 mineral licenses.

These licenses, which will now be deleted from the Electronic Mining Cadastral System portal of the Nigerian Mining Cadastral Office, include 584 exploration licenses, 65 mining leases, 144 quarry licenses, and 470 small-scale mining leases.

The minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, gave the revocation announcement in a statement issued by his special assistant on Media, Segun Tomori, on Sunday in Abuja.

The minister explained that the directive was issued due to the companies’ failure to comply with the requirement of paying their annual service fees.

The latest revocation brings the total mineral titles revoked under the current administration to 3, 794 including,619 mineral titles revoked for defaulting in paying annual service fees and 912 for dormancy last year.

By opening up the areas formerly covered by these licenses, the revocation is expected to spur fresh applications by investors looking for fresh opportunities.

The statement read, “Not less than 1,263 mineral licenses will be deleted from the portal of the Electronic Mining Cadastral system of the Nigerian Mining Cadastral Office, MCO, following their revocation by the Federal Government.

“These include 584 exploration licenses, 65 mining leases, 144 quarry licenses, and 470 small-scale mining leases.”

Approving the revocation following the recommendation of the MCO, the Minister said applying the law to keep speculators and unserious investors away from the mining sector would make way for diligent investors and grow the sector.

“The era of obtaining licences and keeping them in drawers for the highest bidder, while financially capable and industrious businessmen are complaining of access to good sites, is over.

“The annual service fee is the minimum evidence that you are interested in mining. You don’t have to wait for us to revoke the license because the law allows you to return the license if you change your mind,” the minister said.

He warned that the revocation does not mean the Federal Government has pardoned the annual service debt owed by licensees, adding that the list will be forwarded to the Economic & Financial Crimes Commission to ensure that debtors pay or face the wrath of the law.

“This is to encourage due diligence and emphasise the consequences of inundating the license application processes with speculative activities.”

In the recommendation to the minister, the Director-General of the MCO, Simon Nkom, disclosed that there were 1,957 initial defaulters when the MCO published the intention to revoke licences in the Federal Government Gazette on June 19, 2025.

He informed the minister that the gazette was distributed to MCO offices nationwide to sensitise licencees and encourage them to comply within 30 days in compliance with the Minerals and Mining Act 2007 and relevant regulations.

He observed that the delay in the final recommendation was due to complaints of several licensees who claimed to have paid to the Federal Government through Remita and had to be reconciled.

Earlier this month, the DG MCO had hinted that more mining licences would be revoked as part of ongoing efforts to sanitise the solid minerals sector and protect investors from fraudsters.

According to Nkom, the clean-up exercise, which covers expired, speculative, and inactive titles, is necessary to make room for genuine investors and ensure compliance with the law.

This is part of ongoing efforts at sanitising the sector since the inception of the Tinubu administration, and the salutary effects of the reforms are massive and manifest despite the attempts to push back by defaulters and their agents.