They are daughters of Remo Land.
From politics to academia, law to sports, public service to faith leadership, these women have not only excelled; many have broken barriers, set precedents, and rewritten history. Through intellect, resilience, faith, and service, they have elevated both womanhood and the Remo identity.
1. Mrs Dolapo Osibajo
(Lawyer, Author, Pastor – Wife of Former Vice President of Nigeria)
For eight years(2015-2023), Pastor Dolapo Osibajo, held sway as Nigeria’s Second Lady, being the wife of the then Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osibajo.
Born on 15 July, 1967, Mrs Osibajo is a daughter of Remoland via her maternal grandfather, the sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, from Ikenne Remo and her maternal grandmother, Mama HID Awolowo, who is from Liyangu Akarigbo Ruling House of Sagamu.
A trained lawyer, like her mother, Otunba Ayodele Soyode and maternal grandfather, Awolowo, Mrs Osibajo is also an author and a pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).
This wife of a former Vice President had founded The Women's Helping Hands Initiative, a refuge facility in Epe, Lagos State, in 2006. However, while in Office as Second Lady, she championed family values, faith, and national unity. Her life reflects a blend of legal intellect, spiritual leadership, and a strong legacy of public service.
2. Ambassador Olatokunbo Awolowo-Dosumu
(A Medical Doctor and Former Nigerian Ambassador to the Netherlands)
A prominent daughter of Remoland from Ikenne and Sagamu, Ambassador Olatokunbo Awolowo-Dosumu is the last and survivor of the five children of Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
Born on February 20, 1948, she earned her MB.ChB degree from the University of Bristol in 1972 and undertook postgraduate training at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. She was a medical practitioner for many years at University College Hospital,UCH, Ibadan, LUTH, Lagos and others . She is the chairman of the Governing Council of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH.
She was a governorship aspirant in Lagos State during the aborted 3rd Republic, and a founding member of the Alliance for Democracy, AD, at the beginning of this Fourth Republic in 1998/1999.
She later served as Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Netherlands (1999–2003). She is the Chairman of African Newspapers of Nigeria (publishers of the Nigerian Tribune, founded by her father over 70 years ago.
She is also a Co-founder/Executive Director of the Obafemi Awolowo Foundation. She is the Asiwaju Onigbagbo Obinrin(Female Christians' Leader) of Ogun State and Yeye Oba Liyangu of Remo Kingdom.
3. Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun
(First Lady of Ogun State)
She is the wife of the Ogun State Governor, and consequently the current First Lady of the Gateway State, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun hails from Ilishan Remo. She is a zoologist by training, business woman, and philanthropist.
She was born on July 16, 1966, into the family of Professor Oladipo Oduye, who became the Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan.
Mrs. Abiodun studied Zoology at the University of Ibadan, graduated in 1988. She later became a businesswoman, and founder of Ajose Foundation.
As First Lady, she has championed women empowerment, health advocacy, and social development initiatives across Ogun State. Her notable milestones include the establishment of sustainable welfare programs and consistent grassroots engagement, reflecting humility, compassion, and purposeful leadership.
4. Hon. Princess (Dr.) Adesola Ayoola-Elegbeji
(Member, House of Representatives; geologist by training, successful technocrat, business woman and politician.)
A member of the National Assembly, representing Ikenne/Sagamu/Remo North Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Princess Adesola Ayoola-Elegbeji was born into royalty in Sagamu.
She is from the Koyelu and Owarodo Akarigbo Ruling Houses of Sagamu, Remo, through her maternal grandmother who is a daughter of Adegbite. She is also a direct Princess from Ibido and Simawa-Makun, Sagamu, through her paternal grandfather.
Equipped with a B.Sc. in Geology from Ogun State University (now OOU), two Master’s degrees in the UK, Hon. Ayoola Elegbeji is a former consultant to global institutions, including the NHS and Chevron.
Her late father, Prince Ayoola Elegbeji who had been a Supervisory Councilor during Chief Bayode Oluwole's chairman hip of Sagamu Local Government, in the aborted 3rd Republic, was later the Vice Chairman of Sagamu Local Government Area in the Fourth Republic.
She became a founding member of the Alliance for Democracy, AD. in that 1998/1999. And she later served as Commissioner at the Ogun State Judicial Service Commission, in 2023.
She earned a Doctor of Public Administration(Honoris Causa) in 2025, marking a key milestone in her public career.
5. Hon. Funmilayo Temidayo Efuwape.
(Ogun State Commissioner )
A member of the Ogun State Executive Council, Hon. Funmilayo Efuwape, is a two-term commissioner in Ogun State. She made history as the first female Chairman of Sagamu Local Government Area during the governorship of Senator Ibikunle Amosun.
Hon. Efuwape, who hails from Makun, Sagamu, is the daughter of a former Vice Chairman of Sagamu Local Government, Mr. A.K, Akinyebo.
She began her career in the Lagos State Civil Service before venturing into politics, when she was elected Executive Chairman of Sagamu Local Government Area. She was later appointed the Ogun State Commissioner for Women Affairs (2019–2023) by Prince Dapo Abiodun.
In 2023, she was appointed the Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs. Her career milestones reflect resilience, gender inclusion, and sustained political relevance in Ogun State governance.
6. Dr. Oluwatoyin Sakirat Madein
(First Female Accountant-General of the Federation)
Born in Iperu Remo, Dr. Oluwatoyin Sakirat Madein is a trailblazing public finance expert. She holds an HND in Accountancy from the then Ogun State Polytechnic ( later Moshood Abiola Polytechnic), Abeokuta , an MBA from the then Ogun State University (Olabisi Onabanjo University), Ago Iwoye ,and a Ph.D. in Management Finance from Walden University, USA.
In 2023, she became Nigeria’s first female Accountant-General of the Federation after over 30 years in public service. A Fellow of ICAN and ACCA (UK), she retired in March 2025.
Her tenure marked a historic milestone in gender representation at the highest level of Nigeria’s public finance administration.
She is the President and Founder of Olowo Oloye Foundation, an NGO she uses in touching lives.
7. Hon. Justice Titilola Mabogunje (Rtd.)
(First Female Judge of Ogun State High Court)
This nonagenarian, Hon. Justice Titilola Mabogunje, is a pacesetter in the field of judiciary. She was Ogun State’s first female High Court judge.
Born on February 11, 1934, in Iperu Remo, she trained as a teacher in England before studying law at Gray’s Inn, London, and the University of Ife(now Obafemi Awolowo University).
She served as a Magistrate, Chief Magistrate, and later High Court Judge, earning a reputation for integrity and judicial excellence.
Married to the late Prof. Akin Mabogunje, from Ijebu, she raised accomplished children including the current Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, UNILAG, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola(Nee Mabogunje). Her over 50-year legal career remains a landmark in Ogun State’s judicial history.
8. Professor Folasade Ogunsola
(First Female Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos)
Call her “Madam First". She is the first female Vice Chancellor, VC, of the University of Lagos, appointed in November 2022. She was also the first female Provost of UNILAG’s College of Medicine and first female Acting VC before she later became the VC.
Her father, Professor Akinlawon Mabogunje, was the first African president of the International Geographical Union. And her mother, Hon. Justice Titilola Mabogunje, is the first female judge of Ogun State High Court.
Prof Ogunsola (Née Mabogunje) is a Professor of Medical Microbiology. A national and international academic leader, she chairs the National Association of Colleges of Medicine.
In 2023, she received the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), marking a historic milestone in Nigerian academia.
Mrs. Ogunsola, who has Remo blood in her veins, through her mother, Hon. Justice Mabogunje; from Iperu Remo, was born on November 14, 1958, in London.
9. Dr. Mrs. Ronke Soyombo
(Registrar/CEO, Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria)
Dr. Ronke Soyombo, a distinguished educationist of Remo extraction, has over three decades of experience in education and administration in Nigeria and the UK.
She holds a B.Sc. in Chemistry Education from the University of Lagos, an LLB in Business Law, and a Ph.D. in Professional Ethics.
She became the first female Registrar and CEO of the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN). Previously, she served as Special Adviser on Education to the Ogun State Governor. Her leadership at TRCN represents a major milestone in professionalizing teaching standards nationwide.
Dr (Mrs) Soyombo, who hails from Makun Sagamu, is the daughter of late Chief Ademola Awosanya, former Chairman of Remo Local Government.
10. Professor Bolajoko Ajoke Aina
{University Administrator, Clinical Pharmacist and Peer reviewer for American Public Health Association}.
Professor Bolajoko Ajoke Aina, a Professor of Clinical Pharmacy and Biopharmacy, is a former Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lagos, UNILAG, and Peer reviewer for American Public Health Association.
She is a Fellow, of the following national and international pharmaceutical professional bodies:
I} West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists (FPCPharm) 2015,
ii} Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (FPSN) 2018,
iii}Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy (FNAPharm) 2021.
iv} Nigerian Association of Foreign Trained Pharmacists (FNAFTraPh) 2024.
He was the Acting Head of the Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Biopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, CMUL Campus, Idi Araba, Lagos.
She bagged her Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm) in 1982 from the Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, (formerly University of Ife) Ile-Ife, Osun State. Her Master's degree in 1985, from same university. And, Ph.D in Clinical Pharmacy from the UNILAG in 2005. Prof Aina also bagged another Master's degree (MSc) in Public Health in 2008 from same University of Lagos.
She hails from Irolu Remo, while her husband is from Sagamu, the headquarters of Remoland.
11. Princess Iyabo Irebowale Odulate
( Former Head of Service, Ogun State)
Princess Iyabo Odulate, retired from the Ogun State Civil Service, as the Head of Service; and the second female to attain such position in the State, after over 30 years of meritorious service.
Born a princess into the Remo royal household, she is the daughter of the late Akarigbo of Remoland, HRM Oba Moses Sowemimo Awolesi (Erinwole ii) who reigned between 1952 and 1988.
She joined the Ogun State Civil Service at its inception in 1976 and rose through the ranks to become Permanent Secretary and later Head of Service in 2010.
She served in that role until her retirement in 2011. With over 14 years as Permanent Secretary, she played a critical role in shaping Ogun State’s public administration. Her retirement marked a milestone in the history of Remo women in civil service leadership.
12. Mrs. Morenike Babington-Ashaye
(Tax Expert, Fellow of ICAN and CITN, and Founder of the International Centre for Tax Research and Development)
A princess from Sagamu Remo, Mrs. Morenike Babington-Ashaye is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, ICAN and Fellow and founding member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, CITN.
She chaired the Ogun State Board of Internal Revenue, and increased the state’s IGR from ₦100 million to about ₦1 billion between 2003 and 2008; which marked the beginning of .
Founder of the International Centre for Tax Research and Development, she is a leading voice in tax policy reform and fiscal governance. Her achievements represent a landmark contribution to public finance administration in Nigeria.
13. Mrs. Falilat Ogunkoya-Osheku
(Nigeria’s First Olympic Individual Medalist and Sports Administrator)
Born in Ode Lemo, Sagamu Local Government Area of Ogun State, Falilat Ogunkoya-Osheku is Nigeria’s first female Olympic individual medalist. She represented Nigeria at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, winning silver and bronze medals in the 400m event.
A former student of Ode Lemo Community High School and Teachers Training College, Sagamu, she also won multiple African and world medals.
She later served as Special Assistant on Sports to the Ogun State Governor, during Governor Gbenga Daniel's administration, Chairman of Ogun State Athletics Federation, and a member of the Nigerian Olympic Committee.
She received the national honour of Member of the Order of the Niger (MON).
14. Iyalode Sade Ogunbiyi
(Retired Administrator and Iyalode of Remoland)
Iyalode Sade Ogunbiyi(Nee Osiberu),was a teacher at the United Nations School in New York . She later worked as Principal Assistant Registrar at Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU. She also served as Human Resources Manager at NAL Merchant Bank.
A princess of the Osiberu family, whose younger brother is the Elepe of Epe Land, His Royal Highness, Oba Adewale Osiberu, (Iruganyin Ekun ii), hails from Latawa and Epe, Sagamu.
Chief (Mrs)Ogunbiyi studied English at the University of Ibadan and earned a master’s degree in the USA.
Married to Aremo Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi, former Managing Director of Daily Times and erstwhile Pro-Chancellor of the OAU, Ile-Ife.
She was installed Iyalode of Remoland in 2016, by late Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba (Dr) Michael Adeniyi Shonariwo (Erinjugbo ii), the apex female traditional title in Remo, previously occupied by Chief HID Awolowo until her death in 2015.
15. Pastor (Dr.) Adenike Adeyemi
(Deputy Senior Pastor, Daystar Christian Centre; Global Speaker)
Pastor (Dr.) Adenike Adeyemi(Nee Ogunmola), global speaker and author, is a Co-founder and Deputy Senior Pastor of Daystar Christian Centre, she is also Founder of Real Woman Foundation and Love Home Orphanage.
Born in 1967, Mrs Adeyemi, whose father hails from, Sagamu, holds a Master’s degree in Architecture from Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, an MBA, and is an alumna of Harvard Business School.
Her milestones include international humanitarian work, women empowerment, and faith-based leadership across continents.
Call To Action: Do you know any outstanding woman of Remo parentage who should have been included, that we failed to mention, send her name and what you know about her to:
The Editor,
Successful People Magazine,
successfulpeoplemagazine@gmail.com
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