President Bola Tinubu, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) have expressed sadness over the death of The Eagle publisher, Dotun Oladipo.
Oladipo, 56, died in Lagos on August 25, 2026, reportedly after a suspected heart attack.
In a condolence message signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu described the journalist’s death as a major loss to Nigeria’s media industry and the country.
“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.
“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.
Sanwo-Olu also described Oladipo’s death as a major loss to Nigeria’s media sector.
“The death of one of Nigeria’s prolific journalists, writers and media entrepreneurs, Mr. Dotun Oladipo, is a significant loss to the media industry and Nigeria, as well as his family and friends. He will be sorely missed. He made numerous positive impacts in his lifetime, contributing meaningfully to the growth and development of journalism, especially with his pioneering work in online journalism in Nigeria,” he said.
According to the governor, Oladipo lived an exemplary life and made a lasting impact through journalism.
Sanwo-Olu added that he had personally interacted with Oladipo and remembered him as a calm and brilliant journalist.
“I have met Dotun personally during some of my media interactions with journalists. He was brilliant, calm and always presented his case in a very interesting and professional manner. I remember his presentation of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers’ case about three years ago. You can’t help but listen to him,” he said.
The GOCOP President, Danlami Nmodu, described Oladipo as an important figure in the growth of the organisation.
“Dotun played an important role in the development of GOCOP. He led the Guild for four years at a time when there was still a lot of work to be done to establish online publishers as an important part of the media. His contribution will always be remembered,” he stated.
Nmodu said Oladipo combined his journalism experience with knowledge of the publishing business.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio also mourned Oladipo, describing him as a courageous and dedicated journalist who stood for truth and responsible journalism.
According to him, “Dotun Oladipo was a courageous, principled and dedicated journalist who devoted a significant part of his life to the pursuit of truth, responsible journalism and the advancement of society.”
Akpabio said Oladipo’s contribution to online journalism and his commitment to professionalism and the public interest would not be forgotten.
He also prayed for God to grant the deceased eternal rest and give his family, friends and colleagues the strength to cope with the loss.
The APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, also described Oladipo’s death as a painful loss to the Nigerian media industry.
Yilwatda said Oladipo brought professionalism, courage and intellectual depth to journalism and remained committed to using the media to inform citizens, hold institutions accountable and strengthen democracy.
He prayed for the repose of Oladipo’s soul and for God to give his family and loved ones the strength to bear the loss.
Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu, GOCOP mourn The Eagle publisher Dotun Oladipo