Yakubu Mohammed, co-founder of Newswatch magazine and former deputy chief executive officer of Newswatch Communications Limited, has died at the age of 75.
He had been battling an undisclosed illness prior to his death. As at press time, no official statement had been released by his family.
Mohammed’s passing comes just two months after the death of his long-time colleague and fellow Newswatch co-founder, Dan Agbese, who died on November 17, 2025. Together, their departure marks a significant loss to Nigeria’s journalism community and the generation that shaped investigative reporting in the country.
Born on April 4, 1950, in Ologba, Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, Mohammed rose from modest beginnings to become one of Nigeria’s most influential journalists. He attended the University of Lagos and later the Glasgow College of Technology in Scotland before beginning his career at New Nigerian Newspapers, where he rose to managing editor. He then joined National Concord, serving as deputy editor and later editor.
In 1984, Mohammed co-founded Newswatch alongside Dan Agbese, Ray Ekpu, and the late Dele Giwa, establishing the magazine as a fearless voice for investigative journalism during Nigeria’s military era. He served in multiple roles, including executive editor, managing editor, and deputy CEO of the publication, helping shape its editorial direction and integrity.
Mohammed’s contributions extended beyond journalism. He served as pro-chancellor and chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, mentored young professionals, and held directorships at Yadara Nigeria Limited and Lastop Limited. He was also a member of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, the Nigerian Guild of Editors, and the Commonwealth Journalists’ Association.
In October 2025, he released his memoir, Beyond Expectations, offering a personal and historically rich account of his life, the evolution of Nigerian journalism, and the founding of Newswatch. The book revisits pivotal moments, including the 1986 assassination of Dele Giwa, the Gloria Okon saga, and Mohammed’s courageous reporting of sensitive stories, such as the military raid on Fela Kuti’s Kalakuta Republic in 1977.
According to Yusuf Mohammed, his son, the memoir highlights not only Yakubu Mohammed’s professional achievements but also his personal principles - his quiet courage, integrity in the face of political pressure, and dedication to mentoring the next generation of journalists. Yusuf describes him as “a man of humility who lets his work speak for itself,” a reflection of his lifelong commitment to ethical reporting and public service.
Mohammed also briefly ventured into partisan politics but left the arena with his integrity intact, reinforcing his lifelong ethos of principled leadership.
His death signals the passing of a luminary from Nigeria’s golden era of journalism - a generation that shaped public discourse through courage, tenacity, and an unwavering commitment to truth. His memoir, and the legacy of Newswatch, will continue to inspire journalists and readers for generations to come.
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