By Hauwa Gwandu

The founder and publisher of The Eagle Online, Dotun Oladipo, has died at the age of 56.

Oladipo reportedly died on Tuesday after he suddenly took ill at his office and was rushed to a hospital, where he later died.

According to media reports, the veteran journalist drove himself to the hospital after falling ill but passed away hours later.

His death was confirmed by the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), where he previously served as president.

The President of GOCOP, Danlami Nmodu, announced Oladipo’s death on the guild’s WhatsApp platform late Tuesday night.

Oladipo was a respected figure in Nigeria’s journalism and digital publishing industry, with decades of experience in the profession.

Before establishing The Eagle Online, he worked with several leading Nigerian newspapers, including Nigerian Tribune, Nigerian Compass and The Sun.

He also served as Politics Editor at PUNCH Newspapers, where he covered major political developments and contributed to the newspaper’s political reporting.

Oladipo was the Chief Executive Officer of Premium Eagle Media Limited, the company behind The Eagle Online.

His transition has sent shockwaves across Nigeria’s media industry, with colleagues and professional associations mourning a journalist whose career spanned traditional newspaper journalism and the rapidly expanding digital media space.

His death comes as a major loss to the Nigerian journalism community, particularly the online publishing sector, where he played a prominent role in advancing professional journalism and strengthening the voice of digital publishers.

Details of his burial arrangements are expected to be announced by his family.