Yakubu Mohammed, co-founder of Nigeria’s influential Newswatch magazine, has died at age 75 after battling an undisclosed illness.
Mohammed’s death represents another significant loss to Nigerian journalism, coming just two months after his fellow Newswatch co-founder Dan Agbese passed away on November 17, 2025, following a prolonged illness. His family had not released an official statement at the time of reporting.
In 1984, Mohammed established Newswatch alongside Agbese, Ray Ekpu, and Dele Giwa, creating one of Nigeria’s most respected investigative journalism platforms during the military era.
Just months before his death, Mohammed published his memoir, Beyond Expectations, in October 2025. The book detailed Newswatch’s history and provided personal perspectives on pivotal moments, including the controversial 1986 assassination of founding editor-in-chief Dele Giwa and the subsequent battle for control of the magazine.
Born April 4, 1950, in Ologba, Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, Mohammed built an impressive journalism career before co-founding Newswatch. He worked at New Nigerian Newspapers as associate editor (1976-1980) and managing editor (1980), then served at National Concord as deputy editor (1980-1982) and editor (1982-1984).
At Newswatch, he held several key positions: executive editor (1984-1986), managing editor (1986-1994), and deputy chief executive officer of Newswatch Communications Limited from 1994.
Mohammed’s education included St Joseph’s Primary School, Ayangba (1964); Government Secondary School, Okene (1965-1969); the University of Lagos (1972-1975); and Glasgow College of Technology, Scotland (1978-1979).
Beyond journalism, he served as director at Yadara Nigeria Limited and Lastop Limited, and was a member of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Commonwealth Journalists’ Association, and Nigerian Guild of Editors. He also served as pro-chancellor and chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University’s governing council.
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