Nigeria has lost one of its boldest journalistic minds. Alhaji Yakubu Mohammed, co founder of the iconic Newswatch Magazine and a towering figure in investigative journalism, has died in Lagos after years of battling diabetes. He was 74.
A source close to the family confirmed that Mohammed passed away on Tuesday due to complications linked to the illness he had managed for several years. The family is expected to issue a formal statement in the coming days.
His death has reopened deep national reflection on an era when journalism was dangerous, defiant, and unapologetically confrontational.
Born in Kogi – Raised by Conviction and Courage
Born on April 4, 1950, Mohammed hailed from Ologba, a quiet settlement near Anyigba in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State. From these modest roots emerged a man who would later challenge power, expose corruption, and help redefine Nigerian journalism.
He attended St Joseph’s Primary School in Anyigba and Government Secondary School, Okene, before earning a B.Sc. degree in Mass Communication from the University of Lagos. He further sharpened his skills at the Glasgow College of Technology in Scotland.
Those who knew him say his early years shaped a lifelong commitment to truth, discipline, and public accountability.
Newswatch Revolution – When Journalism Terrified Power
In 1984, Mohammed joined forces with Dele Giwa, Ray Ekpu, and Dan Agbese to establish Newswatch Magazine, Nigeria’s first major newsweekly, officially launched in 1985.
The magazine quickly became a nightmare for military rulers and corrupt elites. Its investigative depth, editorial independence, and fearless reporting changed how Nigerians consumed news.
According to SKYTREND NEWS reports, Newswatch did not just report events. It shaped national conversations and forced accountability in an era when truth often came at a deadly price.
The murder of Dele Giwa in 1986 remains one of Nigeria’s darkest media moments, and a constant reminder of the risks Mohammed and his colleagues faced.
A Career Beyond One Magazine
Before Newswatch, Mohammed served with distinction at New Nigerian newspapers and National Concord, earning a reputation for professionalism and editorial rigour.
He was a member of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, the Nigerian Guild of Editors, and the Commonwealth Journalists’ Association. Beyond journalism, he served as Pro Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, contributing to education and institutional leadership.
In November 2025, barely months before his death, he launched his memoir, Beyond Expectations, a reflective account many now see as a quiet farewell.
Tributes Pour In – A Nation Remembers
Kogi State Governor Ahmed Ododo described Mohammed as a pioneer of modern investigative journalism and a proud son of the state whose impact transcended media.
He said Mohammed belonged to a rare generation that redefined courage, professionalism, and integrity in Nigerian journalism, adding that his influence strengthened democracy and public accountability.
According to SKYTREND NEWS gathered, colleagues and younger journalists have described him as a mentor, bridge builder, and moral compass at a time when journalism increasingly faces commercial and political pressure.
A Painful Question – Where Are the Brave Voices Today
Mohammed’s death has reignited uncomfortable conversations. Many Nigerians are asking whether today’s media landscape still produces journalists willing to confront power at personal risk.
As newsrooms battle shrinking revenues, political interference, and digital chaos, the passing of a Newswatch pioneer feels symbolic. An era built on courage appears to be fading.
Yet his legacy remains a benchmark.
Survived by Family – Remembered by History
Alhaji Yakubu Mohammed is survived by his widow and children. But his true legacy lives in Nigeria’s media history, in every investigative report that refuses to bow, and in every journalist who still believes truth matters.
Nigeria may have lost a man, but it has gained an immortal chapter in its democratic story.
