Former Lagos State First Lady, Abimbola Fashola, has opened up about marriage, faith, and family, offering rare insights into her decades-long partnership with her husband, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), former governor of Lagos State and ex-minister of works and housing.
Speaking during a recent episode of The Morayo Show, Mrs Fashola reflected on the values that have sustained their union, their parenting philosophy, and how they navigated public scrutiny. The couple, who met through Fashola’s father and married on May 1, 1993, celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary in 2023. Their marriage is often cited in Nigerian public life as a model of successful interfaith partnership, with Babatunde Fashola a practising Muslim and Abimbola Fashola a devout Catholic.
Responding to a question about maybe across faith lines, Mrs Fashola said, “My yoke has been beautiful. I have no cause for complaint at all. I believe that when God has made two people for each other, there is really no yoke anywhere. It is all about God.”
She also addressed rumours that her husband had another family in Magodo while serving as governor. She recalled learning of the claims from her sisters but said she never felt threatened. “I told them not to worry,” she explained, highlighting the role of mutual trust and spiritual guidance in their marriage. When she confronted her husband, he clarified he had never been to Magodo except during campaign visits.
Mr Fashola, who grew up in a Christian household despite being a practising Muslim, echoed his wife’s sentiments on faith, emphasizing that religion had never been a source of division in their family. “The rule in our house was not about Christianity or Islam. It was that you must serve God,” he said.
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The couple also reflected on life beyond public office. Mrs Fashola, a lawyer and founder of the Leadership Empowerment and Resource Network (LEARN), described her husband as disciplined and family-oriented, enjoying simple pleasures like good food, sleep, and football. He credited his wife for the upbringing of their three children, noting that despite the demands of public life, their children experienced a largely typical Nigerian upbringing before pursuing higher education abroad and returning home.
Their marriage, they revealed, is rooted in humour, humility, and shared responsibility, allowing them to navigate disagreements without exposing their children to conflict. “Even when things are about to erupt, once we see the children, we zone out,” Mr Fashola said.
The Fasholas’ story offers a humanized glimpse into the life of a high-profile couple, demonstrating that faith, trust, and communication can sustain a lasting partnership even under public scrutiny.