Chief (Mrs) Lucia Onabowale Onabanjo, the wife of Ogun State’s first civilian governor, Chief Victor Olabisi Onabanjo, has died at the age of 100.
Her passing was announced by her daughter, Ms Olubukunola Onabanjo, in a statement released on Tuesday. According to the family, she died on Monday, January 11, 2026.
The statement described her as a beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, adding that the family was grateful to God for her long and impactful life. It noted that she lived from 1925 to 2026 and left behind a legacy defined by love, strength and deep faith.
Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun had previously spoken glowingly about Mrs Onabanjo, describing her as a woman of exceptional character. Speaking during her 95th birthday celebration, Abiodun said her influence and legacy would endure across generations.
He praised her as a strong pillar of support to her husband, the late Chief Victor Olabisi Onabanjo, especially during the years he faced personal sacrifices while building a career in journalism and politics. Abiodun noted that while her husband was widely known for his political principles and service to the people, Mrs Onabanjo remained largely focused on her family and home.
According to the governor, she endured many personal hardships while ensuring stability at home, allowing her husband to pursue public service without distraction. He also recalled her once saying that her husband was never driven by wealth but by a desire to serve, a value she strongly supported.
Mrs Onabanjo was widely regarded as the matriarch of the Onabanjo family and a quiet but influential figure whose life reflected resilience, sacrifice and devotion to family and nation.
