The Pathfinder
Wednesday January 14, 2026
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Yakubu Mohammed, co-founder of the defunct Newswatch magazine, has died at 75 years of age.
Mohammed, born on April 4, 1950, reportedly died late Tuesday night in Lagos after a prolonged illness.
A native of Ologba in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, Mohammed had a distinguished journalism career spanning several decades, serving in various capacities at New Nigerian Newspapers and National Concord before co-founding Newswatch, where he rose to become Managing Editor and later Deputy Chief Executive Officer.
Mohammed, alongside Dele Giwa, Ray Ekpu and Dan Agbese founded Newswatch in 1984, establishing it as a leading voice in investigative journalism during Nigeria’s military era. Giwa was killed on October 19, 1986, through a parcel bomb.
The late veteran journalist published his memoir in October 2025 titled “Beyond Expectations”, which chronicled the history of Newswatch and offered personal insights into the magazine’s formative years, including the controversy surrounding the 1986 assassination of founding editor-in-chief, Giwa, and the subsequent struggle for control of the influential magazine.
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 the Glasgow College of Technology in Scotland between 1978 and 1979.
Muhammed was a director at Yadara Nigeria Limited and Lastop Limited, member of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, the Commonwealth Journalists’ Association, and the Nigerian Guild of Editors. He also served as pro-chancellor and chancellor of the governing council of Ahmadu Bello University.
Mohammed’s death comes less than two months after the passing of another Newswatch co-founder, Dan Agbese, who died after a prolonged illness on November 17, 2025.
Meanwhile, the Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Ododo, has mourned the death of the co-founder of Newswatch Magazine, Alhaji Yakubu Mohammed.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Hon. Ismaila Isah, Ododo expressed heartfelt condolences to Mohammed’s immediate family and the Nigerian Union of Journalists.
The governor described the late journalist as “not only a pioneer of modern investigative journalism in Nigeria, but also a proud son of Kogi State from Dekina Local Government Area whose contributions to nation-building transcended the media space.”
“As a co-founder of the iconic Newswatch magazine, Alhaji Yakubu Mohammed belonged to a rare generation of journalists who redefined courage, professionalism and integrity in Nigerian journalism and a man whose influence shaped public discourse and strengthened accountability in a democracy,” Ododo said.
He noted that Mohammed’s role role in setting enduring standards for investigative reporting and editorial independence remains one of his most enduring legacies,” the governor added.
Ododo also acknowledged Mohammed’s record of public service, including his tenure as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, as well as his contributions to the development of Kogi State.
“His love for Kogi State was evident in his commitment to its growth and his willingness to serve in different capacities. He was a bridge-builder, a mentor to many and a voice of conscience in national affairs,” he said.
The governor prayed that Almighty Allah grant the departed soul eternal rest and comfort the family and all those mourning his loss.
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