The Board of Directors of Media Trust Limited, publishers of Daily Trust newspapers, has announced the appointment of Naziru Mikailu Abubakar as the new Editor-in-Chief/Executive Director of the company.
He is taking over from Mannir Dan-Ali who has served in that capacity since October 2007.
A statement from the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Mannir Dan Ali, said Mikailu’s appointment is part of the company’s succession planning that will see the complete exit of owners/managers and enable more digitally attuned journalists to build on the strong Daily Trust brand and strengthen its position as a credible media platform.
Naziru Mikailu brings a wealth of editorial and management experience from his decade-long career at the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) World Service where he held different positions in Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
The 37-year-old journalist, who begins his new role on January 6, was the editor of BBC’s Abuja Bureau and Editorial Project Manager at the BBC’s West Africa Bureau in Lagos where he played a key role in setting up Igbo, Pidgin and Yoruba services.
Speaking on the new Editor-in-Chief, Dan Ali said: “We are very delighted to have Naziru to lead our editorial team.
His track record, professionalism and understanding of digital media and innovation as well as the Nigerian market will be a valuable addition to our newsroom.”
Reacting to his appointment, Naziru said: “I look forward to leading this wonderful and trusted news organisation in the many opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.
“Over the last two decades, Media Trust has redefined and transformed journalism in Nigeria, becoming the envy of many within and outside the country. I will make sure that we continue to provide unrivalled content to our audience through whatever platform they choose to consume it.”
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The new Editor-in-Chief will assume duty a few days after the retirement of the Associate Director/Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Mahmud Jega, from day-to-day functions.
Mahmud served two terms of three years each as Associate Director/Deputy Editor-in-Chief.
The well-known columnist and former Editor of the Daily Trust retires from his post at the end of 2019, but will continue to serve as Chairman of the Daily Trust Editorial Board and columnist, among other duties.
Before joining Media Trust in 2006, the outgoing Associate Director was editor in the New Nigerian newspapers, Sentinel Magazine and Citizen Magazine.
See the detailed profile of the new Editor-in-Chief here.