The Nigerian media industry is in mourning following the passing of Alhaji Yakubu Mohammed, a titan of investigative journalism and co-founder of the iconic Newswatch magazine. He died today, Wednesday, 15 January 2026, at the age of 75.
His death marks the “end of an era” for the pioneering generation of Newswatch, coming just two months after the passing of his longtime colleague and fellow co-founder, Dan Agbese, who died on 17 November 2025.
Yakubu Mohammed was one of the “Famous Four”—the group of visionary journalists who revolutionized the Nigerian media landscape in the 1980s. Alongside Dele Giwa, Ray Ekpu, and Dan Agbese, he launched Newswatch in 1984, introducing a bold, high-standard style of long-form investigative reporting.
Before Newswatch, Mohammed held prestigious roles, including Editor of National Concord and Managing Editor of the New Nigerian Newspapers.
At Newswatch, he served in several high-ranking capacities, including Executive Editor, Managing Editor, and eventually Deputy Chief Executive Officer.
In his final major public contribution, his memoir titled Beyond Expectations (released in October 2025), Mohammed provided rare insights into the 1986 parcel-bomb assassination of Dele Giwa, notably debunking long-held rumors regarding the “Gloria Okon” connection.
Beyond the newsroom, Mohammed was a distinguished administrator and academic leader. He is an alumnus of the University of Lagos and the Glasgow College of Technology, Scotland. He served with distinction as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria.
Born on April 4, 1950, in Ologba, Dekina Local Government Area, he remained a prominent voice for development in Kogi State and the North-Central region.
Tributes have begun flooding in from the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), and political leaders across the country.
“Yakubu Mohammed was a master of the craft. He didn’t just report the news; he analyzed the soul of the nation with a precision that few could match. With his passing and that of Dan Agbese so recently, the library of Nigerian journalism has lost two of its greatest volumes.” – Veteran Journalist & Colleague.
Mohammed’s death comes shortly after the successful launch of his memoir on November 4, 2025. The 422-page book serves as his final testament, detailing the “death warrant” of Newswatch during its contentious takeover by Jimoh Ibrahim in 2011 and his unwavering belief in the power of the printed word.
