Veteran journalist, Newswatch pioneer Yakubu Mohammed passes on at 75

 

Yakubu Mohammed, a veteran journalist and co-founder of the defunct Newswatch magazine, has died at the age of 75.

Mohammed’s death comes barely two months after the passing of another Newswatch co-founder, Dan Agbese, who died on November 17, 2025 — a development widely seen as the close of a defining chapter in Nigeria’s journalism history.

The seasoned media professional was said to have battled a prolonged illness before his death. As of press time, an official statement from his family was still being awaited.

Only recently, on November 4, 2025, the late journalist launched his memoir, Beyond Expectations, which documented his life journey, professional experiences and contributions to the growth of journalism in Nigeria.

Born on April 4, 1950, Mohammed hailed from Ologba in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State. He attended St. Joseph’s Primary School, Ayangba, in 1964, and Government Secondary School, Okene, between 1965 and 1969. He later studied at the University of Lagos from 1972 to 1975 and proceeded to the Glasgow College of Technology, Scotland, between 1978 and 1979.

Mohammed began his journalism career at New Nigerian Newspapers, where he served as associate editor from 1976 to 1980 and later rose to the position of managing editor. He joined National Concord as deputy editor between 1980 and 1982 and subsequently became editor from 1982 to 1984.

He later co-founded Newswatch magazine, serving as executive editor between 1984 and 1986, managing editor from 1986 to 1994, and later as deputy chief executive officer of Newswatch Communications Limited from 1994.

Beyond journalism, Mohammed was a director at Yadara Nigeria Limited and Lastop Limited. He was also a member of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), and the Commonwealth Journalists’ Association.

The late journalist also contributed to the education sector, having served as pro-chancellor and chancellor of the governing council of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.