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Oyenike Michael-Ibru
(1934–2019)
Rev. Mother Oyenike Michael-Ibru was a Nigerian clergywoman, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. She was the second wife of prominent Nigerian businessman Michael Ibru.
Early Life and Education
She was born on June 12, 1934, in Lagos, though her parents hailed from Ijebu Aiyepe in Ogun State.
Her early education began at Breadfruit School and later at Christ Church Cathedral School, Lagos. She completed her Senior Cambridge Examinations at Lucas Collegiate.
After finishing school, she worked at the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation and later as a machinist at Banque de l’Afrique Occidentale, which later became Afribank Plc.
Marriage and Business Support
At the age of 19, she met Michael Ibru, who was then working with United Africa Company. They married and had three children together.
In 1953, when Michael Ibru began his tin tomatoes business, Rev. Mother Oyenike personally helped market the product by hawking it at Ereko Market in Lagos. At the time, canned tomatoes were new to many Nigerian consumers, and her grassroots marketing played a key role in building awareness and acceptance.
Entrepreneurship and Ministry
In 1968, she founded an advertising company, Nicky Fat Agency, located at 46 Balogun Street, Lagos.
In 1975, she established a spiritual ministry known as God’s Glorious Shining Star Church (Cherubim and Seraphim). That same period, after obtaining a Lagos State Government license for Jerusalem pilgrimage tours, she rebranded her company as Nicky Fat Tours, combining faith and entrepreneurship.
She also served as a trustee of African Church Arch Cathedral Bethel, Broad Street, Lagos.
In 1998, she received an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from an American university in recognition of her spiritual and community contributions.
Death and Legacy
Rev. Mother Oyenike Michael-Ibru passed away in 2019 at her residence in Ikoyi at the age of 85.
She is remembered for:
Supporting early Nigerian entrepreneurship
Advancing women-led business initiatives
Promoting Christian ministry and pilgrimage services
Playing a foundational role in one of Nigeria’s prominent business families
Sources
The Guardian Nigeria obituary archives
Vanguard Newspaper reports (2019)
African Church Nigeria historical records
Family and business history publications on the Ibru family.
SB E-news.
About the Author
