- Safiu Kehinde
Veteran Nigerian journalist and co-founder of Newswatch magazine, Dan Agbese has died at the age of 81.
Agbese, who founded Newswatch alongside late Dele Giwa, reportedly passed away in Lagos State on Monday morning.
His death was confirmed in a family statement issued hours after his passing.
As contained in the statement, the late journalist was renowned for his satirical columns.
“We hereby announce the passing away of our husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and mentor: Chief Dan Agbese, the Awan’Otun of Agila. Chief Agbese transited to eternal glory this morning, Monday, November 17, 2025. He was aged 81,
“Born May 12, 1944, in Agila, Chief Agbese was a renowned journalist and author, famous for his seminal contributions to journalism practice in Nigeria and renowned for his satirical columns,” the family wrote.
Agbese held degrees in mass communications and journalism from the University of Lagos and Columbia University, New York, respectively.
He was a former editor of The Nigeria Standard, the New Nigerian as well as former general manager of Radio Benue, before co-founding Newswatch.
He was until April 2010 the Editor-in-Chief of the magazine.
He was the author of several acclaimed books, including Nigeria their Nigeria, Fellow Nigerians, The Reporter’s Companion, Style: A Guide to Good Writing and The Columnist’s Companion: The Art and Craft of Column Writing.