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Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu, GOCOP mourn veteran journalist, Dotun Oladipo – EnviroNews
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The Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) has expressed sadness over the death of its former President, Dotun Oladipo, publisher of The Eagle Online.
Similarly, President Bola Tinubu and Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State have expressed sadness over Oladipo’s death. Oladipo was former Political Editor of The Punch newspaper. 
Oladipo died on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at the age of 56.
He was President of GOCOP from 2017 to 2021 and was one of the publishers who helped shape the Guild in its early years.
His death is a loss to GOCOP and the wider Nigerian media community, even as Tinubu described Oladipo’s death as a painful loss to Nigeria’s media industry and the nation, commending his contributions to journalism and democracy.
Oladipo came into online publishing with years of experience in the traditional media. He had worked as a journalist and editor before moving into digital publishing and bringing that experience to The Eagle Online.
At a time when online news publishing was still developing in Nigeria, he was among those who saw the need for publishers to come together, share ideas and build a stronger professional community.
That was also the period when GOCOP was growing from an association of online publishers into an organisation with a clear identity and a growing presence in the Nigerian media industry.
As President between 2017 and 2021, Oladipo devoted considerable time to the affairs of the Guild. He represented GOCOP at different engagements and worked with members as the organisation dealt with the opportunities and challenges that came with the rapid growth of online publishing.
GOCOP President, Danlami Nmodu, said Oladipo’s death was painful for the Guild.
“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,” Nmodu said.
He said Oladipo brought his experience as a journalist and publisher to the leadership of the Guild.
“Dotun understood journalism and he understood the business of publishing. He was passionate about the place of online media in Nigeria and he gave his time to the growth of the Guild. We are saddened by his passing,” Nmodu said.
Oladipo’s involvement in journalism began long before the emergence of online publishing as a major source of news in Nigeria. His career in the mainstream media gave him a grounding in reporting, editing and newsroom management.
He later became publisher of The Eagle Online, joining a group of journalists and publishers who moved into the digital space as the internet changed the way Nigerians received and shared news.
His years in GOCOP coincided with a period of rapid growth in online publishing. More news platforms were emerging, social media was changing the way stories reached readers, and online publishers were becoming increasingly important to the Nigerian media industry.
GOCOP said Oladipo’s contribution should be seen against this background.
The Guild also remembered him as a colleague who maintained relationships with publishers across the country and took an active interest in the affairs of the organisation even after leaving office.
GOCOP extended its condolences to Oladipo’s family, the management and staff of The Eagle Online, and his friends and colleagues in the media industry.
The Guild said it would work with his family and associates on plans to honour his memory.
In a statement issued by Presidential Spokesperson, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, on Wednesday in Abuja, the President acknowledged Oladipo’s dedicated service in political reporting and his commitment to providing Nigerians with credible information through traditional and digital media platforms.
He said Oladipo’s career reflected the important role of journalists in strengthening democracy by informing citizens, holding public officials accountable and promoting robust public discourse.
Tinubu recalled Oladipo’s passion for journalism and contributions to the growth of digital media through The Eagle Online, which he founded after his career at The Punch.
He said: “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.”
The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has expressed grief over the passing of the Publisher of The Eagle Online, Mr. Dotun Oladipo. He described Oladipo’s death as shocking, painful, and heartbreaking.
Governor Sanwo-Olu extended his condolences to his immediate and extended families, the management and staff of Premium Eagle Media Limited, publishers of The Eagle Online, following the sudden death of the organisation’s Managing Editor and Chief Executive Officer.
He also sent a message of condolence to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), and the Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE) on the loss of Dotun Oladipo, whom he described as a cerebral and prolific writer.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, in a statement issued on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, noted that although the death of Oladipo, the immediate past President of GOCOP, was a rude shock to his family, friends, colleagues, and associates, they should accept it as the will of God.
He stated: “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.
“Dotun’s sudden death is shocking and painful, but we should find solace in the modest achievements of the late Publisher. Death is inevitable, as we all will die. Our purpose in life is not to live forever, but to create something that will outlive us, bearing in mind that it is not the length of life that matters, but the depth of life.
“Dotun Oladipo led an exemplary life. He was a dutiful husband and a good father to his children. Most importantly, he touched countless lives through his profession as a journalist, rising to become Publisher, Managing Editor, and Chief Executive Officer of a media organisation.
“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 but listen to him.”
“On behalf of my family and the Lagos State Government, I extend my sympathies to the Oladipo family and the media industry over the loss of this veteran and accomplished journalist. I also offer my condolences to his friends, colleagues, and journalists across Nigeria. May God grant them the strength to bear this irreplaceable loss.”
Oladipo died on Tuesday after he suddenly took ill in his office in Lagos.
