Former Nigerian military president, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), reveals in his autobiography A Journey in Service how he met his late wife, Maryam Babangida, won her heart, and convinced her to convert to Islam. He also reflects on their lifelong bond, marriage, and life after her passing in 2009.
Former Nigerian military president, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), has shared intimate details about his relationship with his late wife, Maryam Babangida, in his newly released autobiography, A Journey in Service.
According to the book, Babangida met Maryam, then known as Maria Okogwu, in Kaduna when they were young. Their friendship deepened over time despite his military training stints abroad. He recalled how her charm and intelligence captivated him, and their bond grew stronger through mutual friends and family connections.
Babangida revealed that a near-death experience at 28 pushed him to consider marriage seriously. While recovering from injuries sustained in battle, he decided that Maryam was the woman he wanted to spend his life with.
Winning her over, however, was not immediate. Maryam was initially skeptical due to his reputation as a social figure, but with the help of close friends and family, Babangida eventually gained her trust. He also shared that his faith was central to his life and requested that she convert to Islam before their marriage.
Maryam embraced Islam and adapted to her new life, and Babangida assured her that he would not practice polygamy, a commitment he believed would ensure a stable family life.
Their marriage, which lasted until Maryam’s passing in 2009 from ovarian cancer, was one he described as filled with love and companionship. Babangida admitted that life without her has been difficult, but the memories of their time together provide him solace.
