The Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) has mourned its former President and Publisher of The Eagle Online, Dotun Oladipo, describing his death as a painful loss to the online publishing industry.
Oladipo died on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at the age of 56.
In a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Kemi Yesufu, on Wednesday, the Guild said Oladipo played a significant role in its development, particularly during his tenure as president from 2017 to 2021.
GOCOP President, Danlami Nmodu, said the late publisher led the organisation at a crucial period when online publishers were working to establish their relevance and professional standing within Nigeria’s media industry.
“Dotun played an important role in the development of GOCOP. He led the Guild for four years at a time when there was still a lot of work to be done to establish online publishers as an important part of the media. His contribution will always be remembered,” Nmodu said.
He described Oladipo as a journalist who understood both the professional and business sides of publishing and who was committed to the growth of digital media.
“Dotun understood journalism and he understood the business of publishing. He was passionate about the place of online media in Nigeria and he gave his time to the growth of the Guild. We are saddened by his passing,” he added.
Oladipo began his journalism career in the traditional media before moving into online publishing, where he founded and headed The Eagle Online.
GOCOP said his transition into digital journalism came at a time when online news was still emerging as a major source of information in Nigeria.
The Guild noted that his leadership coincided with a period of rapid expansion in digital publishing, marked by the emergence of new news platforms and the growing influence of social media on news distribution.
According to GOCOP, Oladipo remained interested in the affairs of the Guild even after completing his tenure and maintained relationships with publishers across the country.
The Guild described his death as a loss not only to its membership but also to the wider Nigerian journalism community.
GOCOP expressed condolences to Oladipo’s family, management and staff of The Eagle Online, as well as his friends and colleagues in the media.
The organisation also said it would work with his family and associates on plans to honour his memory.
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