The Nation’s editorial board member Omonijo dies at 63

The Diocese of Lagos West has announced the death of Revd Mobolade Omonijo, a veteran journalist and member of The Nation Editorial Board.

He died on October 15, 2026, after a brief illness at the age of 63.

The diocese disclosed all this in a release shared with PUNCH Online on Monday, describing the late cleric as a devoted member of its Media and Publicity Department.

Omonijo was the Vicar of the Church of Pentecost, Dopemu, Lagos, and had spent about four decades in journalism, the release also noted.

Describing him, the diocese said he was “very meek, lovely, conscientious, articulate, assiduous and meticulous”, adding that he was a person of “remarkable verbal dexterity”.

The statement, signed by the Administrative Assistant to the Bishop, urged the public to remember the deceased’s children and family in their prayers.

“May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace, and rise in glory. Amen,” it added.

In a separate report published on Monday, The Nation confirmed Omonijo’s death, describing him as a veteran journalist who served as the newspaper’s Group Political Editor.

According to the newspaper, Omonijo, a graduate of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, previously worked at The Economist and Vanguard before joining The Nation in 2008.

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The Nation Editorial Board Chairman, Sam Omatseye, also mourned the deceased, describing his death as difficult to comprehend and paying tribute to his professionalism and contributions to the newspaper.

“Omonijo’s loss is impossible to wrap one’s mind around,” Omatseye said.

He described the late journalist as someone who was “at once sober and full of life’s humour”, adding that he was pious even before becoming a reverend.

“As a man, he was a friend. As a reporter, he was thorough and unsparing in rigour,” Omatseye said.

He said Omonijo’s health had prevented him from continuing as political editor, describing him as “one of the best”.

According to Omatseye, Omonijo brought a critical perspective to Editorial Board discussions, seeking to cut through partisan positions and maintain balance.

He recalled that the late journalist attended an Editorial Board meeting the week before his death, during which he was assigned two editorial topics to write about.

“We shall never forget you, Reverend,” Omatseye said.

The newspaper said details of the funeral would be announced by the family later.