Dan Agbese, celebrated columnist, author, and one of the founding pillars of Nigeria’s iconic Newswatch magazine, has died at the age of 81.
His death was confirmed Monday morning by family sources in Lagos and reported by veteran journalist Shola Oshunkeye.
Agbese, often described as one of the most brilliant minds in Nigerian journalism, helped redefine the country’s media landscape. Before joining forces with Dele Giwa, Ray Ekpu and Yakubu Mohammed to establish Newswatch in 1985, he had already built an impressive career as editor of The Nigeria Standard and the New Nigerian, and later served as general manager of Radio Benue.
As Editor-in-Chief of Newswatch until 2010, Agbese stood at the forefront of investigative reporting and editorial excellence, guiding the magazine through its most influential years.
Beyond the newsroom, he authored a rich collection of books that became essential reading for journalists and writers, including Nigeria Their Nigeria, Fellow Nigerians, The Reporter’s Companion, Style: A Guide to Good Writing, and the acclaimed Columnist’s Companion.
A graduate of the University of Lagos and Columbia University in New York, Agbese remained a towering figure in the media for over five decades, admired for his clarity of thought, mastery of prose, and unwavering commitment to public service journalism.
Tributes are expected to pour in for a man widely regarded as one of the most enduring voices of Nigerian journalism.
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