Yakubu Mohammed was a legendary figure in Nigerian journalism, best known as one of the four visionary co-founders of Newswatch magazine. He passed away on January 12, 2026, at the age of 75.
YAKUBU MOHAMMED PROFILE
| Name | Yakubu Mohammed |
| Real Name | Yakubu Mohammed |
| Date Of Birth | 4 April 1950 |
| Date Of Death | 12 January 2026 |
| State Of Origin | Kogi State |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Occupation | Journalist |
| Religion | Islam |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Net Worth | N/A |
| Copied From | Contents101.com |
YAKUBU MOHAMMED BIOGRAPHY
Born on April 4, 1950, in Ologba, Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, Mohammed was raised in a region known for producing sharp intellectual minds.
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
Yakubu attented Government Secondary School, Okene (1965–1969). He earned a B.Sc. in Mass Communication from the University of Lagos (1975). He later specialized in journalism at the Glasgow College of Technology in Scotland (1978–1979).
CAREER
Before co-founding Newswatch, Mohammed held senior editorial positions at the New Nigerian and served as the Editor of the National Concord. In 1984, alongside Dele Giwa, Ray Ekpu, and Dan Agbese, he launched Newswatch. The magazine became the “gold standard” of Nigerian journalism, known for its fearless investigative stories during the military era. At Newswatch, he served as:
- Executive Editor (1984–1986)
- Managing Editor (1986–1994)
- Deputy CEO of Newswatch Communications Limited (from 1994)
Beyond the newsroom, Mohammed was a versatile administrator and technocrat:
- Academia: He served as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria (2005–2007).
- Politics: In 2019, he ventured into politics as an aspirant for the Kogi State governorship under the APC.
- Memoir: Just months before his passing, in November 2025, he launched his highly anticipated memoir titled Beyond Expectations, which provides an insider’s account of Nigeria’s media history and the internal struggles of Newswatch.
CONTROVERSIES
There are no significant controversies connected to Yakubu Mohammed.
PERSONAL LIFE
He was a devout Muslim, a family man, and an active member of the Nigerian Guild of Editors and the Commonwealth Journalists’ Association. Known for his “incisive weekly columns,” he remained an active intellectual and mentor to younger journalists until his final days.
YAKUBU MOHAMMED NET WORTH
Yakubu Mohammed’s net worth was not documented.
DEATH
Yakubu Mohammed died on the night of Monday, January 12, 2026, following a brief illness. His death marked the near-total depletion of the original Newswatch “founding fathers,” coming just two months after the passing of his longtime colleague Dan Agbese in November 2025.