Newswatch Magazine co-founder Alhaji Yakubu Mohammed is dead

Alhaji Yakubu Mohammed, a co-founder of the now-defunct Newswatch Magazine, has died at the age of 75, less than two months after the passing of his colleague, Dan Agbese, who died on November 17, 2025.

Sources confirmed the development to journalists, while an official statement from the family was still awaited at the time of filing this report.

Mohammed, who had been ill for some time, launched his memoir, “Beyond Expectations,” on November 4, 2025.

Born on April 4, 1950, in Ologba, Dekina, Kogi State, Mohammed earned a B.Sc degree and attended St. Joseph’s Primary School, Ayangba (1964), Government Secondary School, Okene (1965–69), University of Lagos (1972–75), and Glasgow College of Technology, Scotland (1978–79).

His journalism career spanned several decades, including roles as Associate Editor at New Nigerian Newspapers (1976–80), Managing Editor of New Nigerian Newspapers (January–December 1980), Deputy Editor (1980–82), and Editor (1982–84) at National Concord.

Mohammed co-founded Newswatch Magazine and served as Executive Editor from 1984 to 1986, Managing Editor from 1986 to 1994, and Deputy CEO of Newswatch Communications Limited from 1994.

He also held directorship positions at Yadara Nigeria Limited and Lastop Limited, and was a member of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Commonwealth Journalists’ Association (CJA), and Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE).

In addition, Mohammed served as Pro-Chancellor/Chancellor of the Governing Council of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Kaduna State.

Outside journalism, he enjoyed playing tennis, dancing, listening to music, and watching movies.