Veteran journalist and co-founder of Newswatch Magazine, Yakubu Mohammed, has died at the age of 75.
Mohammed, a native of Ologba in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, took his last breath Tuesday night in Lagos after a brief illness.
His death comes barely two months after the demise of fellow Newswatch co-founder, Dan Agbese.
Born on April 4, 1950, Mohammed enjoyed a distinguished journalism career that spanned several decades.
He worked with New Nigerian Newspapers and National Concord before co-founding Newswatch magazine in the mid-1980s.
At Newswatch, Mohammed rose through the ranks to become managing editor and later deputy chief executive officer, playing a key role in shaping the magazine’s investigative and analytical journalism that defined an era in Nigeria’s media landscape.
Beyond journalism, he was actively involved in public service and professional media organisations.
He was a member of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE).
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Mohammed also served as pro-chancellor and chairman of the governing council of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, contributing to the development of higher education in Nigeria.
In November 2025, he publicly launched his memoir titled: “Beyond Expectations,” chronicling his life, career, and experiences in journalism and public service.
Reacting to his passing, Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, expressed condolences to Mohammed’s family and the NUJ, describing him as a pioneer of investigative journalism and a proud son of Kogi State whose contributions to nation-building extended beyond the media industry.
Gov. Ododo prayed for the repose of Mohammed’s soul and asked God to grant comfort to his family, colleagues, and all those mourning his loss.
