Abuja, Nigeria – June 20, 2025
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Friday, joined Muslim faithful, political allies, and family members at the Ansar-ud-Deen Central Mosque, Abuja, for a special prayer session held in remembrance of his late mother, Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji.
The solemn event, marked by Qur’anic recitations and Islamic supplications, brought together Islamic clerics, government functionaries, and dignitaries, who offered prayers for the continued repose of the soul of the late Iyaloja-General of Lagos and matriarch of the Tinubu family.
Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, a revered market leader and iconic figure in Nigeria’s socio-political landscape, passed away on June 15, 2013, at the age of 96. Until her death, she was known not only as a loving mother but also as a fearless advocate for market women’s rights and a trusted political mobilizer.
Born in Lagos in 1917, Mogaji rose to become the President-General of the Association of Nigerian Market Women and Men, a position in which she wielded considerable influence in both Lagos and across Nigeria. Her leadership style was marked by courage, advocacy, and deep maternal care, earning her respect across different generations of market traders and political actors.
President Tinubu, often vocal about the values instilled in him by his late mother, described her in past interviews as a strong disciplinarian, devout Muslim, and one of the greatest influences in his life. “My mother taught me the principles of justice, fairness, and service to the people,” the President once said during a tribute shortly after her passing.
At today’s prayer gathering, the Chief Imam of the mosque, alongside other Islamic clerics, prayed for divine mercy on the soul of the deceased and for God’s continued guidance for the President and his administration.
Also in attendance were notable members of the Federal Executive Council, presidential aides, traditional leaders, and representatives of market associations from across the country, reflecting the wide-reaching impact Alhaja Mogaji had on various strata of society.
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The ceremony served as a reflection on her enduring legacy, especially at a time when the country is navigating economic and social challenges. Many speakers at the event highlighted her lifelong commitment to uplifting grassroots communities and empowering women economically.
The mosque prayer session was followed by a brief reception where friends and family members paid tributes to the late matriarch, recalling her pivotal role in shaping both her community and her son’s political journey.
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Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji’s legacy lives on not only through her biological children but also through thousands of market men and women who continue to benefit from the structures and policies she helped establish during her lifetime.
