Shock slowly gave way to disbelief and overwhelming grief over the passing, on Sunday, August 17, 2025, of Evelyn Osagie.
The news rippled through Nigeria’s arts and culture community, silencing the very voices she spent her life amplifying. Evelyn, a journalist, poet, and cultural advocate, passed away in Lagos at the age of 49 after a brief illness. Her sudden death left a void that will be felt keenly, but the tributes that have poured in reveal a life lived with such passion and purpose that her legacy is destined to endure. She wasn’t just a reporter; she was a champion, a storyteller and a vibrant soul who used her craft to illuminate the heart of Nigeria’s creative landscape.
Evelyn Eseoghene Osagie was a senior correspondent and associate editor at The Nation Newspaper, where she built a reputation as one of the country’s most consistent and passionate voices for the arts.
Her journalism was more than a job; it was a form of advocacy. With a perceptive eye and an unwavering commitment to her subjects, she chronicled the works of countless artists, writers and performers. She didn’t just report on events; she immersed herself in the community, becoming a trusted ally and a fervent supporter of creativity in all its forms. Colleagues recall her as a diligent and hardworking professional.
Beyond journalism, she was a poet, spoken word performer, photographer, and cultural advocate whose work bridged the gap between the arts and society.
Her passing has triggered an outpouring of grief from colleagues, writers, artists, cultural organisations and government officials, all united in mourning a woman described as “a cultural soldier,” “a voice of the arts” and “a rare blend of artistry and activism.”
Evelyn Osagie graduated from the University of Benin in 2003 and joined The Nation Newspaper, where she worked for 17 years. She rose to become an Assistant Editor on the Arts and Life desk, also handling the Women’s section of the midweek magazine and maintained a column which often explored issues of feminism, family, and society, weaving advocacy into journalism with a depth that resonated with readers.
Her work was not confined to the newsroom. Evelyn was also an award-winning journalist who earned the Beatrice Bassey Prize for Female Reporter of the Year at the Nigeria Media Merit Award (NMMA) in 2015. She covered major literary festivals, theatre productions, art exhibitions, and cultural initiatives across Nigeria and abroad, building a network of friends, sources, and collaborators within the arts community.
Her journalism went beyond storytelling; it was advocacy with purpose. She used her platform to amplify women’s voices, highlight child rights, address mental health, and promote civil rights, making her reporting both impactful and human.
News of Evelyn’s death sent shockwaves through her newsroom. At The Nation’s editorial conference on Monday, Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief, Victor Ifijeh, reportedly described her as “extremely passionate about her job” and a journalist who “lived and breathed the arts,” highlighting the quality that defined Osagie’s approach to journalism throughout her career, a sentiment echoed by many who worked alongside her.
This passion was evident in her meticulous coverage of Nigeria’s arts scene, where she built an extensive network of contacts and sources while consistently delivering insightful pieces that celebrated and critiqued the country’s cultural expressions.
Her sister, Patience Osagie, who confirmed her death, recounted that Evelyn had called her on Thursday to say she was unwell. She was taken to hospital on Friday, but by Sunday morning she was gone.
“It was sudden. We are still struggling to process it,” Patience said.
The Art and Culture Writers Association of Nigeria (ACWAN), through its Caretaker Committee Chairman Tony Okuyeme, described her as “a cherished voice and inspiring figure” whose writings, advocacy, and performances left an indelible mark on the country’s creative landscape.
“Throughout her remarkable career, she touched the hearts of many, inspiring countless artists, writers, and arts and culture enthusiasts,” ACWAN stated in their official tribute.
The organisation emphasised that her legacy encompasses creativity, kindness, and an enduring love for cultural expression—qualities that defined both her professional work and personal interactions with colleagues and subjects.
The Lagos State Government, through Information and Strategy Commissioner Gbenga Omotoso, extended official condolences to Vintage Press Limited, publishers of The Nation. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s message highlighted Osagie’s warmth and unique display of talent that distinguished her among peers. The government’s recognition of her contributions underscored the broader impact of her work beyond the immediate journalism community.
The Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW) called her “a rare blend of artistry and activism,” noting that her voice “continues to echo through the stories she told, the verses she penned, and the lives she uplifted.”
The International Press Centre (IPC) also paid tribute. Its Executive Director, Lanre Arogundade, praised her for amplifying women’s voices in the media. He recalled her active role in an EU-supported workshop in Port Harcourt earlier this year, where she pledged to ensure The Nation would champion inclusive reporting of women’s issues ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 elections.
“Her death is a huge loss to the journalism community,” he said.
The Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) described her as “a cultural voice whose passion and advocacy enriched Nigeria’s literary and artistic communities.”
From the political sphere, Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi, APC chieftain and governorship aspirant in Osun State, remembered her as a “thoroughbred professional.” He recalled her intellectually rich review of his autobiography, Footprints of a Peerless Entrepreneur, praising her for seeing achievements “from a human angle unique to her.”
Evelyn was not only a journalist but also a creative force in her own right. She performed spoken word at festivals and events across Nigeria and abroad. Her poetry often carried themes of humanity, justice, resilience, and cultural identity.
Her artistry earned her recognition from Nobel laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka, who acknowledged her contributions to Nigeria’s poetry and advocacy space and only recently Evelyn performed at a World Poetry Day event in his honour. She saw herself not merely as a chronicler of the arts but as an artist participating in Nigeria’s cultural renaissance.
Dr. Sola Balogun, a literary scholar, captured the mood of the community in his poem, Elegy for the Songbird, dedicated to Evelyn. He described her as a “voice that resonated loudly in parts, thrilling the crowd in the open arena,” and lamented that “death snatched you too soon and left your friends in grief.”
Friends and colleagues repeatedly described Evelyn as warm, kind, and compassionate. She had a way of making people feel valued, whether she was covering their stories or simply sharing time with them. To many, she was not just a journalist but also a sister, mentor, and friend.
The most poignant tributes came from fellow journalists and writers who worked alongside Osagie throughout her career. Yinka Olatunbosun, an arts writer, recalled their last meeting at a poetry performance where Evelyn embraced her with characteristic joy and warmth. “Evelyn practised journalism with passion, won prestigious awards, and was a resource person at my leadership project in 2019,” Olatunbosun shared, emphasising that journalism and the culture space had lost “a soldier, a fighter, and a sweet soul.”
Henry Akubuiro, Arts Editor of The Sun, remembered Osagie as a “hardworking arts and culture journalist” and travel companion on literary assignments across Nigeria. His recollection painted a picture of a dedicated professional who was always present at major literary events, “nosing for exclusives” and ensuring comprehensive coverage of Nigeria’s cultural activities.
Molara Wood, creative writer and critic described the late journalist as “an intrepid culture journalist, tireless, highly resourceful, full of verve”—qualities that made her an invaluable member of Nigeria’s cultural journalism community.
For Abubakar Adam Ibrahim, author and journalist, the news was “a very, very painful loss. I’ve been numb since I heard it.”
Writers like Kabir Garba, Yemi Adebisi, and Adunni Adelakun all echoed the same shock and sadness at her sudden passing.
Dr Bukar Usman, former Permanent Secretary at the Presidency and current President of the Nigerian Folklore Society, expressed shock at her passing, recalling their last conversation in July when she “sounded hale and hearty.” His tribute emphasised her accomplishments as “a dedicated journalist, poet and performing artiste” whose sudden departure left the community reeling.
“May God grant her soul heavenly peace and comfort her family,” he prayed.
These personal testimonies consistently highlighted not just her professional competence but also her human qualities of warmth, generosity, and unwavering support for colleagues and the broader creative community.
Her membership in various professional organisations—including the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), and ACWAN—demonstrated her commitment to professional development and collective advocacy within the journalism community.
Her work, spanning journalism, poetry, photography and advocacy, made her a bridge between Nigeria’s creative community and the wider public. Whether reporting from literary festivals, championing women’s rights, or performing on stage, she consistently used her gifts to inspire and empower others.
Evelyn Osagie’s passing is a profound reminder of the fragility of life and the lasting impact of creativity. She embodied the idea that journalism and art can work together as instruments of change. Her sudden departure has left Nigeria’s arts community devastated, but her voice continues to resonate through her works and the memories she left behind.
For a generation of artists, writers and journalists, Evelyn represented possibility—the idea that one could be a storyteller, advocate and artist, all in one, without losing humanity. Though gone too soon, her legacy endures in the verses she wrote, the causes she championed, and the countless lives she touched.
As tributes continue to pour in, one truth stands tall: Evelyn Osagie will be remembered not just as a journalist but as a cultural soldier, a custodian of stories, and a champion of humanity. In the words of ACWAN’s tribute, Evelyn Osagie’s memory will forever remain “in our hearts” as a testament to what dedicated journalism and passionate advocacy can achieve in service of culture, community and humanity.
