Veteran journalist and one of the co-founders of Nigeria’s foremost investigative Newswatch magazine, Yakubu Mohammed, has died at the age of 75.
Mohammed passed away on Tuesday in Lagos after a brief illness, bringing to an end a distinguished media career that spanned several decades and helped shape investigative journalism in Nigeria.
He was among the founding team that established Newswatch magazine in 1984 alongside the late Dele Giwa, Ray Ekpu and Dan Agbese. The weekly publication quickly rose to prominence and became a reference point for bold reporting, in-depth investigations and editorial independence during critical periods of Nigeria’s political history.
Before the launch of Newswatch, Mohammed had built a solid reputation in the media industry, working with the New Nigerian Newspapers and the National Concord. At Newswatch, he served in several senior capacities, including executive editor and managing editor, and later rose to the position of deputy chief executive officer, contributing significantly to the magazine’s editorial direction and management.
In October 2025, Mohammed published his memoir, Beyond Expectations, in which he documented his professional journey, the early struggles and successes of Newswatch, and key moments in Nigeria’s media and political landscape.
His death comes shortly after the passing of fellow Newswatch co-founder, Dan Agbese, further deepening the sense of loss within the Nigerian journalism community.
Born on April 4, 1950, Yakubu Mohammed hailed from Ologba in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State. Beyond journalism, he also served in public and corporate roles, including as pro-chancellor and chairman of the governing council of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and as a director on the boards of several companies.
Tributes are expected from colleagues, media organisations and public figures, as the country reflects on the legacy of a journalist whose work left a lasting imprint on Nigeria’s press and democratic development.
