Yakubu Mohammed, a Veteran journalist and one of the co-founders of Nigeria’s foremost investigative Newswatch magazine has died at the age of 75.
Mohammed passed away on Tuesday in Lagos after a brief illness, bringing to an end a distinguished media career that spanned several decades and helped shape investigative journalism in Nigeria.
He was among the team that established Newswatch magazine in 1984 alongside late Dele Giwa, Ray Ekpu and Dan Agbese.
Yakubu Mohammed’s was one death too many for Newswatch magazine family coming only a few weeks after the passing of Dan Agbese, a co founder of the magazine.
Before the launch of Newswatch, Mohammed had built a solid reputation in the media industry, working with the New Nigerian Newspapers and the National Concord. At Newswatch, he served in several senior capacities, including executive editor and managing editor, and later rose to the position of deputy chief executive officer, contributing significantly to the magazine’s editorial direction and management.
In November 2025, Mohammed published his memoir, Beyond Expectations, in which he documented his professional journey, the early struggles and successes of Newswatch, and key moments in Nigeria’s media and political landscape.
Born on April 4, 1950, Yakubu Mohammed hailed from Ologba in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State. Beyond journalism, he also served in public and corporate roles, including as pro-chancellor and chairman of the governing council of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and as a director on the boards of several companies.
Mohammed also contested the governorship of Kogi state on two occasions but didn’t win. May his soul rest in peace
