The wife of Ogun State’s first civilian governor has passed away at the remarkable age of 100.
Lucia Onabanjo, widow of the late Chief Victor Olabisi Onabanjo, died on Monday, January 11, 2026. Her daughter, Ms Olubukunola Onabanjo, announced the matriarch’s passing on Tuesday.
“The family of Chief Victor Olabisi Onabanjo, former Governor of Ogun State, announces with deep sorrow, yet with gratitude to Almighty God, the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother,” the statement read.
Born in Ijebu-Ode in 1925, Lucia Onabanjo moved to Lagos at age ten for her education. She trained at a Teachers’ Training College in Yaba and dedicated 22 years to teaching before retirement.
Her marriage to Chief Bisi Onabanjo produced four children, though their first daughter died before them. Despite her husband’s prominent political position, she maintained a modest lifestyle, eating traditional foods and living simply.
She was deeply committed to proper child upbringing and often criticized modern parenting trends. As the Iya Ijo of St. Sebastian Catholic Cathedral in Ijebu-Ode, she remained active in her faith community.
At her centenary celebration in October 2025, President Bola Tinubu praised her as “a reflection of grace, wisdom, and enduring service,” highlighting her devotion, resilience and moral strength.
The family expressed gratitude for her long, fulfilled life and the legacy of love, strength and faith she leaves behind.
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