By Rismadarvoice 18 November 2025
Veteran journalist and media icon, Chief Dan Agbese, has died at the age of 81.
His passing was confirmed in a statement issued on Monday by the Agbese family of the Ikpilogwu clan, Agila district, Ado Local Government Area of Benue State.
According to the family, the revered journalist died today Monday, November 17, 2025.
The family says burial arrangements will be announced in due course.
A towering figure in Nigerian journalism, Agbese was celebrated for his incisive writing, satirical columns, and unwavering commitment to media integrity.
He began his career at The New Nigerian and The Nigeria Standard, where he honed his skills in reporting and editorial work.
He later served as Editor of both newspapers and as General Manager of Radio Benue, Makurdi.
Agbese’s most defining professional moment came in 1984 when he teamed up with Dele Giwa, Ray Ekpu, and Yakubu Mohammed to establish Newswatch, the trail-blazing weekly newsmagazine that redefined investigative journalism in Nigeria.
Over the years, he served as Managing Editor, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, and ultimately Editor-in-Chief of the publication until April 2010.
Beyond editorial leadership, Agbese was a celebrated author. His works including Nigeria Their Nigeria, Fellow Nigerians, The Reporter’s Companion, Style: A Guide to Good Writing, and The Columnist’s Companion, became essential texts for journalists and students of the craft.
He continued to write weekly columns for Daily Trust and The Guardian until his final years, while also running a media consultancy alongside his long-time colleagues Ray Ekpu, Yakubu Muhammed, and Soji Akinrinade.
He was widely admired for mentoring young journalists and offering strategic guidance to media organisations.
Chief Dan Agbese is survived by his wife, Chief Rose Agbese, six children and seven grandchildren.
His passing marks the end of an era for Nigerian journalism, leaving behind a legacy defined by intellectual rigour, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to truth.
