Seasoned journalist and co-founder of Newswatch magazine Yakubu Mohammed has died at the age of 75.
Mr Mohammed’s death comes barely two months after the death of his longtime colleague and fellow Newswatch co-founder, Dan Agbese, who died on November 17, 2025, deepening the sense of loss within the media community.
Sources confirmed that the veteran media professional had been battling a prolonged illness before his demise.
As of press time, an official statement from his family was still being awaited.
A prolific and thoughtful writer, Mohammed had only recently launched his memoir, Beyond Expectations, on November 4, 2025, a reflective work that chronicled his rich professional journey and personal experiences.
Born on April 4, 1950, in Ologba, Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, Mohammed was widely regarded as an erudite and disciplined journalist.
He attended St. Joseph’s Primary School, Ayangba, in 1964, Government Secondary School, Okene, between 1965 and 1969, the University of Lagos from 1972 to 1975 and later the Glasgow College of Technology in Scotland between 1978 and 1979, where he further sharpened his intellectual depth.
His illustrious journalism career spanned several decades.
He served as associate editor at New Nigerian Newspapers from 1976 to 1980 and rose to managing editor in 1980.
He later joined National Concord as deputy editor between 1980 and 1982, became editor from 1982 to 1984 and subsequently co-founded Newswatch magazine, one of Nigeria’s most influential publications.
At Newswatch, Mohammed was executive editor from 1984 to 1986, managing editor from 1986 to 1994 and later deputy chief executive officer of Newswatch Communications Limited from 1994, playing a pivotal role in shaping investigative and authoritative journalism in Nigeria.
Beyond the newsroom, the accomplished professional also served as a director at Yadara Nigeria Limited and Lastop Limited.
He was an active member of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Commonwealth Journalists’ Association (CJA) and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE).
Yakubu Mohammed also made notable contributions to education, serving as pro-chancellor and chancellor of the governing council of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he was admired for his calm leadership and commitment to institutional growth.
Away from work, the affable media elder enjoyed playing tennis, dancing, listening to music and watching movies.
His death has been described by colleagues as the loss of a principled, urbane and influential voice in Nigerian journalism.
