Media veteran, Dan Agbese, dies at 81

A renowned journalist and author, Chief Dan Agbese, has died. He was 81. Agbese’s family announced his demise in a statement signed by Okibe agbese, The family said he died on Monday, November 17, 2025. The statement reads, “The Agbese family of Ikpilogwu clan of Agila district, Ado Local Government Area of Benue State hereby […]

A renowned journalist and author, Chief Dan Agbese, has died. He was 81.
Agbese’s family announced his demise in a statement signed by Okibe agbese,
The family said he died on Monday, November 17, 2025.
The statement reads, “The Agbese family of Ikpilogwu clan of Agila district, Ado Local Government Area of Benue State hereby announces the passing away of our husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and mentor: Chief Dan Agbese, the Awan’Otun of Agila.
“Chief Agbese transited to eternal glory this morning, Monday November 17, 2025. He was aged 81.
“Burial arrangements would be announced by the family in due course.”
Born May 12, 1944 in Agila, Chief Agbese was a renowned journalist and author, famous for his seminal contributions to journalism practice in Nigeria and renowned for his satirical columns.
He was editor of The Nigeria Standard and New Nigerian newspapers, and General Manager of Radio Benue, Makurdi.
Chief Agbese was one of the founders of the trail-blazing Newswatch magazine and was until April 2010 its Editor-in-Chief.
Before his passing, he wrote several books and maintained weekly columns in notable newspapers including the Daily Trust and The Guardian, while running a media consultancy with his friends and colleagues, Ray Ekpu, Yakubu Muhammed and Soji Akinrinade.
He is survived by his wife, Chief Rose Agbese, their six children, and seven grandchildren.
The former presidential spokesman to former President Muhammadu Buhari, Mallam Garba Shehu has described the late Dan Agbese as one of the brightest names in the Nigerian media.
Garba, in a statement, said “Nigerian media has lost one of its brightest names with the death of Newswatch co-founder Dan Agbese and a former editor of the New Nigerian newspaper.”
Garba Shehu also said Agbese’s “reporting, commentary, and editorial leadership drew widespread interest and admiration because he possessed a deep understanding of both local and international issues, coupled with an enviable knack of humour and incisive commentary.
“He was insightful and humble. As Chairman of the Northern Media Forum, NMF, he led with firmness, fairness, and candour, giving us a rare opportunity to interact periodically with him.”