IPI NIGERIA MOURNS DOTUN OLADIPO, A COMMITTED PRESS FREEDOM WARRIOR

IPI NIGERIA MOURNS DOTUN OLADIPO, A COMMITTED PRESS FREEDOM WARRIOR

Late Dotun Oladipupo

The Board of Trustees, National Executive Committee and entire membership of the Nigerian chapter of the International Press Institute (IPI Nigeria) are deeply saddened by the death of Mr Dotun Oladipo, an accomplished journalist, publisher, entrepreneur and committed press freedom advocate.

Mr Oladipo died on Tuesday, 25 August 2026, in Lagos. His death was confirmed in the early hours of Wednesday, 26 August.

An excellent journalist and passionate defender of press freedom, Mr Oladipo was a highly dependable, resourceful, professional, amiable and deeply committed member of IPI Nigeria.

These qualities endeared him to colleagues and everyone who had the privilege of knowing and working with him.

His affable disposition, dedication and can-do spirit led IPI Nigeria to appoint him Chairman of its Programmes Committee in 2024. He embraced the responsibility with characteristic enthusiasm and diligence, contributing significantly to the activities and successes of the Institute.

Despite the demands of running The Eagle Online, which he founded and published, Mr Oladipo consistently made time to undertake and deliver on assignments entrusted to him by IPI Nigeria. He played a significant role in the success of the Institute’s 2025 Annual General Meeting and Conference and was also a major pillar of the 2026 AGM and Conference Planning Committee. His contributions to the planning and execution of this year’s conference will be sorely missed.

Earlier this month, Mr Oladipo demonstrated his extraordinary commitment to IPI Nigeria when he travelled from Lagos to Abeokuta to represent the Institute at an important event, despite having another long-scheduled engagement in Lagos on the same day. He made the sacrifice without hesitation, once again putting the interests of the Institute and the profession ahead of personal convenience.

At just 56, Mr Oladipo leaves behind an indelible legacy in Nigeria’s media industry, having made significant contributions across both traditional and digital journalism. His distinguished career included stints with Newswatch, The Punch, The Compass, Nigerian Tribune and The Sun, before he founded The Eagle Online about a decade and a half ago.

His death is a profound loss not only to his family and colleagues but also to the Nigerian media community and the broader struggle for press freedom and professional journalism. IPI Nigeria has lost a dependable colleague, a passionate advocate and a trusted friend.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, colleagues, friends and the entire staff of The Eagle Online. We pray that Almighty God grants them the strength and fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.

May the gentle soul of our dear brother, colleague and friend rest in perfect peace.

Adieu, Dotun.

*Musikilu Mojeed*

President, IPI