Chief Abibatu Mogaji (16 October 1916 – 15 June 2013) was a Nigerian business magnate and the Ìyál'ọ́jà of Lagos. She was the mother of the president of Nigeria Chief Bola Tinubu.
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Early life
Abibatu Mogaji was born on 23rd October 1916, into a espectable Family in Ita Agarawu, Lagos Island Her Father late Pa Gbadamosi Mogaji was a produce merchant while her mother late Alhaja Saadatu Akoya mogaji was also a renowned trader in the old Lagos.[1]
Family
Chief Mogaji is the wife of Alhaji Abdurazak Mogaji and was also the mother of the All Progressives Congress leader President Bola Tinubu, who became president in 2023. Chief Tinubu's daughter, Folashade, would go on to succeed her grandmother as Ìyál'ọ́jà of Lagos but there is speculation of an older daughter, whoses name is allegedly original Bola, often a female name.
Career
Prior to her appointment as the Iyaloja of the Association of Nigerian Market Women and Men, Chief Mogaji was the vocal leader of the market women's association in Lagos State. Abibatu received the order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (OFR) conferred by Olusegun Obasanjo in her developed interest for trading. That was in the day of Madam Efunroye Tinubu. She had her interest in trading under the apprenticeship of Madam Alimotu Pelewura and as her successor of the Lagos market women's association. She also learnt the nitty-gritty of trading and that of mobilising women.[2]
In recognition of her contributions and efforts to trading and womanhood in Nigeria, Abibatu received other National awards such as the Office of the Order of the Niger (OON) .
She was a matron in several organisations. She also received several honorary doctorate degrees from recognized Nigerian Universities, such as Ahmadu Bello University and the University of Lagos.
Death
Chief Mogaji died on Saturday, 15 June 2013 at the age of 96 in her home at Ikeja, the capital of Lagos State. She was buried at Ikoyi Vaults and Gardens in Lagos State.
Awards
Order of the Federal Republic
Order of the Niger