Chief Mrs. Lucia Onabanjo, Ogun’s First Lady, Dies at 100

The family of Chief Victor Olabisi Onabanjo, Ogun State’s inaugural civilian governor, mourns the transition to glory of their cherished matriarch, Chief (Mrs.) Lucia Onabowale Onabanjo. Born in 1925, she breathed her last peacefully on Monday, January 11, 2026, at the remarkable age of 100 ​. The announcement, issued by her daughter Olubukunola Onabanjo, conveys profound grief tempered by profound gratitude to Almighty God for her impactful century-long journey ​.

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As the steadfast spouse of Chief Bisi Onabanjo, who helmed Ogun State from 1979 to 1983 under the Second Republic, Mrs. Onabanjo embodied resilience amid Nigeria’s turbulent political landscape ​. Her late husband, a distinguished journalist famed for his incisive “Ayekooto” column, departed in 1990, yet she persevered as the family’s pillar of love, fortitude, and unwavering faith ​. Just months prior, in late 2025, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun and other dignitaries celebrated her centennial milestone, underscoring her indelible contributions to the state’s moral and political fabric ​.

Mrs. Onabanjo’s enduring influence resonates through generations as a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, her life a testament to purposeful living ​. Tributes pouring in highlight her role in nurturing family values and community spirit during pivotal eras of Nigerian history ​. The family invokes eternal repose for her soul, cherishing the profound legacy she bequeaths ​.