The passing of Yakubu Mohammed, veteran journalist, media entrepreneur, and co-founder of Newswatch magazine, marks the end of a remarkable chapter in Nigeria’s media and political history. He died at the age of 81, leaving behind a legacy written not just in headlines, but in principles.
Yet, perhaps the most enduring testimony of his life is his memoir, Beyond Expectations — a book that now reads less like a personal story and more like a historical document Nigeria urgently needs.
This is not just a book about Yakubu Mohammed.
It is a book about Nigeria.
What Is Beyond Expectations About?
Beyond Expectations is a deeply personal memoir that chronicles Yakubu Mohammed’s journey from humble beginnings in Ologba, Kogi State, to the very heart of Nigeria’s political and media power structures.
But beyond autobiography, the book serves as:
- A first-hand account of Nigeria’s turbulent military era
- A behind-the-scenes look at the rise of investigative journalism
- A record of courage, betrayal, loyalty, and integrity
The memoir does not romanticize power. Instead, it exposes it — calmly, clearly, and without bitterness.
A Rare Insider’s View of Nigerian Journalism
Yakubu Mohammed was not a peripheral observer. He was at the center of Nigeria’s media revolution.
A graduate of Mass Communication from the University of Lagos, Mohammed rose through the ranks of journalism, serving as:
- Associate Editor and Managing Editor of New Nigerian
- Editor of National Concord
- Co-founder and Managing Editor of Newswatch, alongside Dele Giwa, Ray Ekpu, and Dan Agbese
In the preface of the book, Dan Agbese makes a striking admission:
Yakubu Mohammed was the true initiator of Newswatch — the man who brought the vision and the people together.
This insight alone reshapes how Nigerian media history is understood.
Courage Under Military Rule
One of the most powerful sections of Beyond Expectations details Mohammed’s experiences during Nigeria’s military dictatorships.
He recounts:
- Publishing the story of the 1977 Kalakuta Republic raid on Fela Anikulapo Kuti when other papers backed down
- Facing direct threats from security agents
- Being detained multiple times, including imprisonment during General Sani Abacha’s regime in 1994
These are not tales of heroism written to impress. They are stated plainly — which makes them even more chilling.
Political Betrayals, Named Without Fear
The memoir contains a bold chapter on political betrayal, where Mohammed names names and corrects long-standing narratives — including insights into the Dele Giwa and Gloria Okon saga.
Unlike many memoirs that hedge or sanitize history, Beyond Expectations is direct, factual, and unapologetically honest.
Yet, it avoids vengeance. The tone is reflective, not resentful.
Beyond Journalism: Leadership Without Noise
Beyond the newsroom, the book sheds light on Mohammed’s quieter leadership roles:
- Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
- Service in the same capacity at Federal University of Birnin Kebbi
- Mentorship of young journalists and professionals
Even with these towering achievements, Mohammed repeatedly comes across as a man who “hates to blow his own horn.”
That humility is one of the memoir’s strongest qualities.
Why the Book Feels Different
What makes Beyond Expectations powerful is not just what is said — but how it is said.
The writing is:
- Clear
- Elegant
- Human
- Occasionally witty
Whether describing a newsroom crisis, a diplomatic meeting, or an act of betrayal, Mohammed writes with restraint and grace.
The book closes not in triumph, but in fulfilment.
Yakubu Mohammed’s Death and the Weight of This Moment
Yakubu Mohammed’s death comes shortly after the passing of his Newswatch colleague Dan Agbese, marking a profound moment for Nigerian journalism.
That he launched Beyond Expectations shortly before his passing gives the book an added emotional and historical weight. It now stands as his final public testimony — his voice preserved in print.
Why You Should Read Beyond Expectations Today
This book is essential if you are:
- A student of journalism
- Interested in Nigeria’s political history
- Searching for stories of ethical leadership
- Curious about how integrity survives under pressure
In an era where public trust feels endangered, Beyond Expectations reminds us that principle and impact are not mutually exclusive.
From the dust of Ologba in Kogi State to Buckingham Palace, where he once met Queen Elizabeth II, Yakubu Mohammed’s life was not merely successful — it was useful.
In telling his story, he leaves Nigeria something rare:
A reminder that character still matters.
Beyond Expectations is more than a memoir.
It is a mirror — and a standard.
