The death of Lewis Obi at the age of 77 closes a powerful chapter in Nigeria’s media history. More than a former editor or newsroom executive, Obi represented a generation of journalists who believed that words could challenge power, correct injustice, and shape national conscience. His passing on January 30, 2026 has left a noticeable silence in the industry he helped define.

Mr. Ogbuagu An­ikwe, himself a seasoned jour­nalist announced his passing in a statement released. Lewis Obi, a native of Amurri in Nkanu West Local Govern­ment Area of Enugu State, was educated at Methodist Central School, Agbani, and earned a degree in Mass Com­munication from the Univer­sity of Lagos, where he was a distinguished student of the late communications scholar Professor Alfred Opubor.

Long before journalism became fast, loud, and algorithm-driven, Lewis Obi practiced it as a craft. He belonged to an era where editors were thinkers, where stories were debated rigorously, and where every headline carried weight. His work consistently reflected depth, restraint, and moral clarity, qualities increasingly rare in modern newsrooms.

Obi’s professional journey took him through some of Nigeria’s most influential media institutions. At the Daily Times of Nigeria, he earned a reputation for sharp feature writing and intellectual seriousness. He was not interested in chasing trends; instead, he focused on stories that examined society, power, and the human condition. That approach followed him to National Concord, where his editorial leadership helped define the paper’s voice during a politically sensitive era.

His most enduring legacy, however, came with African Concord. As its founding editor and later Editor-in-Chief and Managing Director, Obi helped build a publication known for courage and clarity. Under his leadership, African Concord did not merely report events, it interrogated them. The paper became a space where difficult questions were asked and uncomfortable truths published, even when doing so came at great personal and institutional risk.

Beyond titles and positions, Lewis Obi’s greatest impact may have been as a mentor. He believed journalism was learned through discipline, curiosity, and ethical consistency. Young reporters who passed through his newsroom often recall an editor who demanded excellence, challenged lazy thinking, and insisted that facts were sacred. Many of today’s respected editors and columnists trace their professional backbone to Obi’s influence.

Tributes following his death reveal a man deeply respected across generations. He was admired not for flamboyance, but for substance. Not for noise, but for courage. In an industry often accused of compromise, Lewis Obi stood as a reminder that journalism, at its best, is a public trust.

He is survived by his wife and children, but his wider family includes countless journalists shaped by his standards and example. While the presses may no longer carry his byline or editorial imprint, his influence lives on in newsrooms across Nigeria.

Lewis Obi will be remembered not just as a veteran editor, but as a guardian of journalistic integrity; a man who believed the press must always serve the public, no matter the cost.