The family of the late Chief Olabisi Onabanjo, former Governor of Ogun State, has announced the passing of his wife, Chief (Mrs) Lucia Onabowale Onabanjo, at the age of 100.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the family said:
“With deep regret but with gratitude to Almighty God, we announce the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Chief (Mrs) Lucia Onabowale Onabanjo (1925–2026), who was called to glory on Monday, January 11.”

The family praised her for a life filled with love, strength, and faith, and prayed for the repose of her soul. Funeral arrangements are yet to be announced.

Mrs. Onabanjo was the wife of Chief Olabisi Onabanjo (1927–1990), the first civilian governor of Ogun State during Nigeria’s Second Republic (October 1979 – December 1983). A renowned journalist and politician of Ijebu extraction, he was known for his forthright newspaper column, Aiyekooto, meaning “parrot” in Yoruba—a symbol of blunt truth-telling.

Educated at Baptist Academy, Lagos, and later at Regent Street Polytechnic, UK, Onabanjo began his journalism career with the Daily Service and Daily Express, where his Aiyekooto column ran from 1954 to 1962. He later entered politics under the mentorship of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, becoming chairman of Ijebu Ode Local Government in 1977 before his election as Ogun State governor in 1979 under the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN).

His administration was widely regarded as transparent and progressive, establishing institutions such as Ogun Television (1982), Ogun State University (1982)—later renamed Olabisi Onabanjo University, and the Abraham Adesanya Polytechnic, which was temporarily closed after the 1983 military takeover but later reopened.