Daily Times at 100: How Nigeria’s Iconic Newspaper Chronicled a Century of History

ABUJA, Nigeria — The Daily Times of Nigeria has marked a major milestone, celebrating 100 years of journalism, national history and public service as the iconic newspaper reaches its centenary.

Founded in 1926, Daily Times has witnessed and documented some of the most significant periods in Nigeria’s history, from the colonial era and the struggle for independence to the birth of the Republic, military rule, nation-building and the return to democratic government.

The centenary celebration, held in Abuja, brought together prominent Nigerians, government officials, media professionals, business leaders and other stakeholders to celebrate the newspaper’s contribution to the country.

TINUBU PRAISES DAILY TIMES

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu described Daily Times as one of the defining chroniclers of Nigeria’s political, social and democratic evolution.

Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, the President said the newspaper’s century-long journey mirrors Nigeria’s own development.

According to Tinubu, the pages of Daily Times have preserved the personalities, events and aspirations that shaped the country from colonial rule through independence and into modern democracy.

The President also formally unveiled The Nigerian Grand Book, a major compendium documenting important personalities, events and milestones in Nigeria’s national development.

He said preserving the country’s history was essential to understanding the present and building a better future.

FROM FOUR PAGES TO A NATIONAL INSTITUTION

Daily Times began as a modest four-page newspaper in colonial Lagos.

Historical records show that the Nigerian Printing and Publishing Company was incorporated in 1925, with the first edition of The Nigerian Daily Times published on June 1, 1926. Ernest Ikoli was its first editor.

The publication gradually expanded its influence and became one of Nigeria’s most important newspapers.

At the height of its operations, Daily Times had grown into a major media organisation with numerous titles under its umbrella and became one of the most successful locally owned businesses in Africa.

A NEWSPAPER THAT WITNESSED NIGERIA’S TRANSFORMATION

For generations of Nigerians, Daily Times became more than a newspaper. Its pages provided a record of political developments, economic changes, cultural events, personalities and major national debates.

The publication covered Nigeria’s journey through independence, the First Republic, military interventions, the civil war, successive governments and the eventual return to democratic rule.

Its archives therefore represent an important source of information about Nigeria’s past.

GOVERNMENT TAKEOVER AND DECLINE

Daily Times experienced a major turning point in 1975, when the Federal Government acquired a controlling stake in the company.

According to the newspaper’s official history, the government eventually held 96.5 per cent of the company. The organisation later experienced financial and operational difficulties before efforts were made to privatise it.

In 2004, the company was acquired by private investors led by businessman Fidelis Anosike, marking a new chapter in the newspaper’s history.

DAILY TIMES ENTERS A NEW DIGITAL ERA

The centenary celebrations have also focused on preserving the newspaper’s extensive historical archives.

As part of its 100-year programme, Daily Times announced plans involving exhibitions of historic front pages and a digital archive project aimed at making decades of editions accessible to researchers and the public.

The move is expected to help younger generations understand Nigeria’s development through the eyes of one of the country’s longest-running media institutions.

A LEGACY THAT CONTINUES

As Daily Times celebrates its centenary, its story remains closely connected to the story of Nigerian journalism itself.

From colonial Lagos to today’s digital media environment, the newspaper has survived political changes, ownership transitions, economic challenges and the transformation of the media industry.

Its 100-year milestone is therefore not simply a celebration of a newspaper. It is also a celebration of Nigeria’s media history and the role journalism has played in documenting the nation’s journey.

President Tinubu urged Nigerians to learn from the past while working to build the country’s future, stressing the importance of preserving national memory.