Veteran journalist and co-founder of Newswatch magazine, Yakubu Mohammed, on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, unveiled his memoir, Beyond Expectations, at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Victoria Island, Lagos. The event drew top journalists, political leaders, academics, and students in celebration of one of Nigeria’s most remarkable media careers.
The ceremony, chaired by Chief Segun Osoba, former Ogun State governor, reviewed by Dr. Lasisi Olagunju, Editor of Saturday Tribune, who described the 422-page book as a compelling blend of personal reflection and national history. Reports show the Lagos State Government purchased several copies for journalism students from the University of Lagos and the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), highlighting its commitment to nurturing the next generation of journalists.
In Beyond Expectations, Mohammed traces his rise from humble beginnings in Ologba, Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, to becoming one of Nigeria’s foremost journalists and administrators. He worked as Managing Editor of the New Nigerian, edited the National Concord, and in 1984 co-founded Newswatch magazine with Dele Giwa, Ray Ekpu, and Dan Agbese, a publication that transformed investigative journalism in Nigeria.
Beyond journalism, Mohammed served as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, and later at the Federal University, Birnin Kebbi. He also ventured into politics, contesting for the Kogi State governorship at the primaries.
Reflecting on his five-decade career, Mohammed said, “I did not set out to be extraordinary; I only tried to be faithful to duty. Life rewarded that faithfulness beyond expectations.” His memoir has been hailed as a vital contribution to Nigeria’s intellectual and professional history, celebrating courage, truth, and dedication to public service.
