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The death of renowned journalist and co-founder of Newswatch magazine, Yakubu Mohammed, on January 12, is a great loss to the country and the media industry. He died after a brief illness at the age of 75, and barely two months after the death of his longtime colleague and fellow Newswatch co-founder, Dan Agbese.
Born on April 4, 1950, in Ologba, Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, Mohammed built a distinguished career in journalism that spanned nearly four decades. He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Lagos between 1972 and 1975, after completing his secondary education at Government Secondary School, Okene, from 1965 to 1969. He began his primary education at St Joseph’s Primary School, Ayangba, in 1964. The late Mohammed further honed his skills at Glasgow College of Technology in Scotland between 1978 and 1979.
His professional journey began at the New Nigerian Newspapers, where he served as associate editor from 1976 to 1980, rising to managing editor the same year. He moved to National Concord in 1980 as deputy editor, a position he held until 1982, when he was promoted to editor, serving until 1984.
In 1984, Mohammed co-founded Newswatch magazine with the late Dele Giwa, Dan Agbese, and Ray Ekpu, where he served as executive editor until 1986. The magazine became one of Nigeria’s most influential news publications, known for its investigative journalism and fearless reporting during the military era. He was promoted to managing editor of Newswatch in 1986, a position he held until 1994. From 1994, he served as deputy chief executive officer of Newswatch Communications Limited.
Apart from the media, Mohammed also tried his hands in politics and public service. He was Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria (2005 – 2007). In the build-up to the November 16, 2019 governorship election in Kogi State, he was an aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He was also an author. On November 4, 2025, Mohammed presented his book titled “Beyond Expectations – A Memoir” in Lagos. The 422-page publication offers an in-depth account of his experiences as both an employee and employer, offering rare insights into pivotal moments in Nigerian journalism.
Among other issues, the book notably sheds light on the death of Dele Giwa, editor-in-chief of Newswatch, who was tragically killed by a parcel bomb. Mohammed’s memoir also addresses the contentious takeover of Newswatch and its assets by Jimoh Ibrahim, a lawyer and businessman who later became a senator.
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Since his demise, prominent Nigerians have praised him for his courageous and fearless journalism. The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) noted that by his death, Nigerian journalism has lost a great and irreplaceable treasure. The Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN) described Mohammed as a towering figure in Nigerian journalism, who devoted his life to the pursuit of truth and the advancement of the profession. NPAN added that Yakubu Mohammed was instrumental to the birth of a new era of investigative journalism in Nigeria.
Kogi State governor, Ahmed Ododo, described the late journalist as not only a pioneer of modern investigative journalism in Nigeria, but also a proud son of the state whose contributions to nation-building transcended the media space. He added that Mohammed belonged to a rare generation of journalists who redefined courage, professionalism and integrity in Nigerian journalism and a man whose influence shaped public discourse and strengthened accountability in a democracy. “His role in setting enduring standards for investigative reporting and editorial independence remains one of his most enduring legacies,” the governor added.
In his tribute, President Bola Tinubu stated that the late journalist consistently placed his life on the line to speak truth to power. Mohammed was an active member of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, the Commonwealth Journalists’ Association, and the Nigerian Guild of Editors. His death, coming barely two months after the demise of another Newswatch co-founder, Agbese, adds to the depletion in the original team that established the magazine. Dele Giwa, another co-founder, was killed in a parcel bomb explosion in 1986, a case that remains unsolved nearly four decades later. Mohammed’s death marks another significant loss for the magazine’s founding generation.
There is no doubt that the departed veteran journalist was among the finest Nigerian journalists who contributed immensely to the development of the industry. His incisive writings in his weekly column and other interventions went a long way in enriching media practice in the country and encouraged new entrants. It is encouraging that Mohammed remained an intellectual till the end, recording great marks in his chosen career and other engagements. He was, indeed, a national icon and an institution in the industry. We commiserate with his family, the Nigerian media and the government and people of Kogi State over his death.
