On Tuesday, the Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Ododo, confirmed the death of elder statesman and co-founder of Newswatch Magazine, Alhaji Yakubu Mohammed.
According to the governor, Mohammed died at the age of 75.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Hon. Ismaila Isah, Ododo expressed heartfelt condolences to Mohammed’s immediate family and the Nigerian Union of Journalists.
Describing the late journalist, Gov. Ododo said he lived as “not only a pioneer of modern investigative journalism in Nigeria, but also a proud son of Kogi State from Dekina Local Government Area whose contributions to nation-building transcended the media space.”
“As a co-founder of the iconic Newswatch magazine, Alhaji Yakubu 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,” Ododo said.
Early life
Yakubu Mohammed is a native of Ologba in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State and was born in April 4, 1950.
He attended St Joseph’s Primary School, Ayangba, in 1964; Government Secondary School, Okene, between 1965 and 1969; the University of Lagos from 1972 to 1975 where he studied Mass Communication.
He obtained a postgraduate diploma in management and Public Administration from the Glasgow College of Technology, Scotland, in 1979.
He also attended Glasgow College of Technology in Scotland between 1978 and 1979.
Journalism Career
He had an enviable journalism Career which spanned for over four decades.
He was the Associate editor at New Nigerian Newspapers from 1976 to 1980.
He also served as managing editor of the same organisation in 1980.
He then became the deputy editor at National Concord between 1980 and 1982.
Mohammed later served as editor of National Concord from 1982 to 1984.
He co-founded Newswatch magazine with Dele Giwa, Dan Agbese and Ray Ekpu in 1984.
He also became executive editor of Newswatch between 1984 and 1986.
He was managing editor of Newswatch from 1986 to 1994 and subsequently served as deputy chief executive officer of Newswatch Communications Limited from 1994.Mohammed was also a director at Yadara Nigeria Limited and Lastop Limited.
Beyond his journalism career, he also served as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, between 2005 and 2007.
Tinubu, Gov. Ododo mourn Mohammed
In any case, President Bola Tinubu has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Yakubu Mohammed.
He described his passing as a profound loss to Nigerian journalism and nation-building.
In a condolence message released on Wednesday, President Tinubu said Mohammed devoted his life to “telling the truth to power,” often at great personal risk, particularly during the military era when investigative journalism came at a heavy cost.
Tinubu however, recalled that Mohammed founded Newswatch in 1984 alongside Dele Giwa, Dan Agbese and Ray Ekpu, a partnership that redefined investigative reporting in Nigeria.
He noted that the magazine became a symbol of courage and professionalism, especially after the assassination of Giwa in 1986.
In his words, “Yakubu Mohammed and his colleagues showed uncommon resolve by sustaining the visionary legacy of Newswatch after the tragic death of Dele Giwa,” the President said, starting that their determination “pushed the boundaries of investigative journalism in Nigeria and inspired generations of reporters.”
He described the late journalist as a personal friend, Tinubu commiserated with Mohammed’s family, the government and people of Kogi State, as well as professional bodies including the Nigerian Union of Journalists, the Nigerian Guild of Editors and the Commonwealth Journalists’ Association.
In the same vein, Gov Ahmed Ododo of Kogi state has expressed his deep sorrow over the passing of the veteran journalist.
The governor in a statement, on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Media, Ismaila Isah said the late veteran journalist was not only a pioneer of modern investigative journalism in Nigeria, but also a proud son of Kogi State from Dekina Local Government Area of the state, whose contributions to nation-building transcended the media space.
According to him, “As a co-founder of the iconic Newswatch magazine, 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,” he said.
Governor Ododo noted that Mohammed’s role in the establishment of Newswatch in the mid-1980s, alongside Dele Giwa, Ray Ekpu and Dan Agbese, marked a turning point in Nigeria’s media history, setting enduring standards for investigative reporting and editorial independence.
“His love for Kogi State was evident in his commitment to its growth and his willingness to serve in different capacities. He was a bridge-builder, a mentor to many and a voice of conscience in national affairs,” he added.
Ododo prayed that Almighty Allah grants the departed soul eternal rest and comforts the family and others who mourn his loss.
WITHIN NIGERIA gathered that Yakubu Mohammed death came about two months after the passing of fellow Newswatch co-founder, Dan Agbese, who died on November 17, 2025, at the age of 81. The late journalist was also said to have made a public book presentation entitled “Great Expectations” in November 2025 in Lagos.
The remains of Yakubu Mohammed has been buried on Wednesday, January 2026 according to Muslim rites.
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