Babatunde Fashola, former Lagos
governor, and his wife Abimbola have revealed how their marriage has thrived for decades despite their different religions, citing mutual respect and communication.
Speaking on The Morayo Show, the parents of two children detailed their unique interfaith journey.
Fashola, 62, explained that he was raised in a deeply Christian environment by his mother, attending an Anglican school and church every Sunday until the age of 18, when he personally chose to convert to Islam.
He emphasised that belief should stem from personal conviction rather than a “faith tag”. He added that he has Christian siblings, making religious diversity a family norm.
“Whose belief are we talking about? For those who care to learn. Islam also says non-Islamic practitioners are unbelievers,” he said.
“I think I was very fortunate. My maternal grandparents were Christians. They were Anglicans. I grew up with my mother, who is Christian. So, every Sunday as the sun shines, I am in St. Jude’s Anglican Church, Ebute Metta. Until I was 18, I knew nothing about Islam. I did not grow up with my father. He was in England. I went to an Anglican school. I was a school prefect. I sang the doxology.
“Interestingly, I also have Christian siblings. The rule in our house was not about Christianity or Islam. It was that you must serve God. So, at the end of the day, it is who both of you are.”
When asked about the biblical perspective on interfaith unions, Abimbola Fashola responded with unwavering confidence.
“My yoke has been very beautiful. No cause for complaint at all. If God has made you for one another, there is really no yoke anywhere,” she said.
The couple also addressed past rumours that threatened to sow discord, including a specific claim from Abimbola’s sisters that Fashola had a second family in Magodo. She credited their transparent communication for dispelling such doubts.
“It was from my sisters. They said, ‘Your husband has another family in Magodo. Because of the relationship we share, there is nothing we do not say to one another; it is all about communication and all,” she said.
“Most times when I hear something like that, I wait for the holy spirit to direct me. I said, ‘Come, hey, say you have another family in Magodo and that you are always going there every day. He said ‘How many times have I been to Magodo? Maybe during the campaign.”
