Veteran journalist and co-founder of NewsWatch magazine Dan Agbese has died.
According to a news website owned by a journalist Shola Oshunkeye, family sources confirmed that he died on Monday morning in Lagos at the age of 81.
In a statement issued by the Agbese family of Ikpilogwu clan of Agila district, Ado Local Government Area of Benue State, “We hereby announce the passing away of our husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and mentor: Chief Dan Agbese, the Awan’Otun of Agila. Chief Agbese transited to eternal glory this morning, Monday November 17, 2025. He was aged 81. Burial arrangements would be announced by the family in due course.”
Mr Agbese was editor of The Nigeria Standard and New Nigerian newspapers and served as General Manager of Radio Benue in Makurdi.
The media icon was a founder of NewsWatch magazine and served as its editor-in-chief until April 2010.
He held degrees in Mass Communications and Journalism from the University of Lagos and Columbia University, New York.
Agbese wrote several books, including Nigeria Their Nigeria, Fellow Nigerians, The Reporter’s Companion, Style: A Guide to Good Writing, and The Columnist’s Companion: The Art and Craft of Column Writing.
Before his death, he maintained weekly columns in newspapers such as Daily Trust and The Guardian and ran a media consultancy with colleagues Ray Ekpu, Yakubu Muhammed and Soji Akinrinade.
He is survived by his wife, Rose Agbese, six children and seven grandchildren.
The family said burial arrangements will be announced in due course.
