President Bola Tinubu has mourned the death of veteran journalist and Eagle Online publisher Dotun Oladipo, describing his passing at 56 as a painful loss to Nigeria’s media industry and democracy.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has mourned the death of veteran journalist and publisher of The Eagle Online, Dotun Oladipo, describing his passing as a painful loss to Nigeria’s media industry and the nation.
Oladipo, a former Political Editor of PUNCH Newspapers and a prominent figure in Nigeria’s digital media industry, died on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at the age of 56. His death was confirmed by the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), which he previously led as president.
In a condolence message issued on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu acknowledged Oladipo’s contributions to journalism, particularly his years of political reporting and his commitment to providing Nigerians with credible information through traditional and digital media platforms.
The President said Oladipo’s professional career demonstrated the important role of journalists in strengthening democracy by keeping citizens informed, holding public officials accountable and providing platforms for robust public discourse.
Tinubu also recalled Oladipo’s passion for journalism and his contribution to the growth of Nigeria’s digital media industry through The Eagle Online, which he founded after an extensive career in the traditional media.
“Dotun Oladipo’s death at the age of 56 is a painful loss to the Nigerian media community and to our nation. He was a committed journalist who devoted significant years of his life to informing the public and contributing to the development of our democracy,” the President said.
He added that Oladipo’s contributions to political journalism and digital media would not be forgotten, while extending his condolences to the deceased’s family, colleagues in GOCOP and friends.
“His contributions to political journalism and the digital media space will not be forgotten. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family, colleagues in GOCOP and friends. I pray that Almighty God will grant him eternal rest and give his loved ones the strength to bear this irreparable loss,” Tinubu said.
Oladipo’s death has triggered widespread mourning across Nigeria’s journalism community. GOCOP described him as one of the publishers who helped shape the guild during its formative years. He served as president of the organisation from 2017 to 2021.
Before venturing fully into online publishing, Oladipo had a distinguished career in traditional journalism. He served as Political Editor and a member of the editorial board of PUNCH Newspapers and later worked with other Nigerian newspapers, including Nigerian Tribune, Nigerian Compass and The Sun. He subsequently founded The Eagle Online.
His death was reportedly sudden. The Eagle Online announced that he had been in his usual state of health before falling ill at his office on Tuesday. He was later taken to a hospital, where he died.
Beyond his journalism career, Oladipo was also the founding president of the Innovative Media Partners Cooperative Multipurpose Society, where colleagues described his death as a major loss to the media community.
As tributes continue to pour in, Oladipo is being remembered for his transition from traditional journalism into digital publishing and his role in helping to build a more organised professional community for Nigeria’s online publishers.
President Tinubu’s tribute adds to the growing expressions of grief over the death of a journalist whose career spanned nearly three decades and whose work straddled Nigeria’s traditional and emerging digital media landscapes.
Visit GMTNewsng for more news stories.