Chief (Mrs) Lucia Onabowale Onabanjo, wife of Chief Victor Olabisi Onabanjo, the first civilian governor of Ogun State, passed away in January 2026 at the age of 100, leaving behind a legacy of devotion, family strength, and quiet influence. Her death was announced by her daughter, Olubukunola Onabanjo, and immediately drew tributes from national and state leaders who recognised her role in supporting her husband and nurturing generations within the Onabanjo family.
Throughout her life, Madam Onabanjo exemplified resilience, moral integrity, and the enduring importance of family, shaping a legacy that remains significant in Ogun State and beyond.
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Background
Lucia Onabowale Onabanjo was born in 1925, and although her early life is not widely documented, her place in Nigerian history is closely tied to her role as the spouse of one of the nation’s notable political figures. Her life spanned the colonial era, Nigeria’s independence in 1960, military interventions, and the democratic transitions that defined the country throughout the 20th and 21st centuries.
Her husband, Chief Victor Olabisi Onabanjo, born in 1927, was a journalist before entering politics. He gained recognition for his column “Aiyekooto,” written in Yoruba and English, where he expressed social critique and public commentary. He became the first civilian governor of Ogun State following elections in 1979 and served until 1983, when a military coup ended civilian rule during the Second Republic.
During his tenure, Ogun State experienced significant developments in education, governance, and community initiatives, and Lucia Onabanjo, as First Lady, provided the familial and moral support that allowed her husband to pursue his public service objectives effectively.
The Onabanjo Era: Social and Political Context
The period of Lucia Onabanjo’s prominence coincided with Nigeria’s Second Republic, a time when the nation attempted to re-establish democratic governance after prolonged military rule. Ogun State, created in 1976, was transitioning into an administrative framework that sought to expand education, strengthen civic institutions, and promote social welfare programs.
Chief Victor Onabanjo’s administration implemented reforms that emphasised educational accessibility, most notably the establishment of Ogun State University in 1982, later renamed Olabisi Onabanjo University in honour of the late governor. This university has continued to provide higher education opportunities to thousands of students in the region and has become a landmark of his administration’s focus on learning and community development.
Although Madam Onabowale Onabanjo did not hold political office, her role as the governor’s spouse was crucial, providing a stabilising presence for her family and engaging discreetly with community members, church groups, and civil society organisations. Her contribution represents the often-understated influence of political spouses in maintaining social cohesion and continuity in governance.
Family and Personal Life
Madam Onabanjo was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She and Chief Victor Onabanjo raised four children, and her family consistently highlighted her commitment to nurturing strong family values. Public tributes emphasised her humility, discipline, and moral guidance, which were central to the household and extended through multiple generations.
Her approach to life was characterised by simplicity and quiet dignity. She did not seek public recognition but became widely respected for her ethical standards, faith, and commitment to family. These qualities made her a model figure for women in Nigeria who contributed to society primarily through their influence within families and communities.
Legacy and Influence
Lucia Onabanjo’s legacy is inseparable from her husband’s political accomplishments, particularly the educational and institutional reforms in Ogun State. However, her own life exemplifies the enduring impact of private, familial leadership. She nurtured the values that enabled a public figure like Chief Victor Onabanjo to pursue transformative policies, and she remained a stabilising force through periods of political turbulence, military rule, and social change.
National and state leaders reflected on her life with admiration. President Bola Tinubu recognised her dedication to family and community welfare, while Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun described her life as exemplary, noting her influence in shaping generations with compassion, faith, and integrity. Chief Reuben Fasoranti, leader of the pan-Yoruba organisation Afenifere, acknowledged her as a figure whose support allowed her husband to govern with moral clarity and focus.
Madam Onabanjo’s century-long life also provides insight into the broader historical role of women in Nigeria, particularly those whose contributions were largely domestic and moral yet instrumental in sustaining public life and social structures.
The life of Chief (Mrs) Lucia Onabowale Onabanjo demonstrates that historical influence is not limited to public office or official recognition. Her century-long life encompassed major chapters in Nigeria’s history, from colonial rule to independence, from military governance to democratic transitions. Through steadfast family devotion, moral guidance, and quiet support, she contributed significantly to the social and political fabric of Ogun State.
Her passing on 11 January 2026 marks the end of a life devoted to faith, family, and community, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire Nigerians, particularly women, to value moral integrity, resilience, and service.
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Author’s Note
Madam Lucia Onabanjo’s life exemplifies the profound impact of private leadership, family devotion, and moral influence. While she did not seek the public spotlight, her role in supporting one of Nigeria’s early civilian governors and nurturing strong family and community values is a reminder that personal commitment and ethical leadership are fundamental to national development. Her life encourages reflection on the invisible but crucial contributions of women who sustain society and history from within the home and community.
References
- Gazette Nigeria, Wife of Ogun First Civilian Governor Onabanjo Dies at 100, January 2026
- Punch NG, Tinubu and Abiodun Mourn Ex Ogun Governor’s Wife, January 2026
- Olabisi Onabanjo University, History of the University
