Newswatch Co-Founder Yakubu Mohammed Dies at 75

By Emmanuel Kwada

Veteran journalist and co-founder of the iconic Newswatch magazine, Alhaji Yakubu Mohammed, has passed away at the age of 75 after battling a prolonged illness.

The renowned media pioneer, who played a pivotal role in shaping investigative journalism in Nigeria during the military era, reportedly died in Lagos late Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning.

As of the time of this report, his family had not yet issued an official statement, though the death has been confirmed by close associates and reported across major Nigerian media outlets.

Born on April 4, 1950, in Ologba, Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, Mohammed’s journey in journalism began at New Nigerian Newspapers, where he rose to the position of managing editor.

He later served as deputy editor and editor at National Concord before co-founding Newswatch in 1984 alongside Dele Giwa, Dan Agbese, and Ray Ekpu.

The magazine quickly became one of Nigeria’s most respected and fearless investigative publications, holding power to account during turbulent years of military rule.

At Newswatch, Mohammed held key leadership positions, including executive editor (1984–1986), managing editor (1986–1994), and deputy chief executive officer of Newswatch Communications Limited from 1994 onward.

His death follows closely on the heels of fellow co-founder Dan Agbese’s passing on November 17, 2025, after a long illness. With Mohammed’s demise, only Ray Ekpu remains of the original quartet of founders.

Just months before his passing, in October 2025, Mohammed released his memoir, Beyond Expectations, which offered intimate reflections on the magazine’s early days, the traumatic 1986 parcel bomb assassination of Dele Giwa, and the internal struggles that followed.

Kogi State Governor Ahmed Ododo has confirmed the death, describing Mohammed as a “pioneer of modern investigative journalism” and a “proud son of Kogi State” whose contributions “transcended the media space” and strengthened accountability in Nigeria’s democracy.

Beyond journalism, Mohammed served on the boards of Yadara Nigeria Limited and Lastop Limited. He was a member of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, the Commonwealth Journalists’ Association, and the Nigerian Guild of Editors. He also contributed to education as pro-chancellor and chairman of the governing council of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

Mohammed’s education included studies at St. Joseph’s Primary School in Ayangba, Government Secondary School in Okene, the University of Lagos (where he earned a BSc in Mass Communication), and a postgraduate diploma from Glasgow College of Technology in Scotland.

His passing marks a profound loss for Nigerian journalism, as the nation bids farewell to one of the last pillars of the Newswatch generation that redefined courage, integrity, and editorial independence in the country’s media landscape. Arrangements for his burial are underway in Lagos in accordance with Islamic rites.