Maryam Babangida
Maryam Babangida | |
|---|---|
| First Lady of Nigeria | |
| In role August 27, 1985 – August 26, 1993 | |
| President | Ibrahim Babangida |
| Preceded by | Safinatu Buhari |
| Succeeded by | Margaret Shonekan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Maria Ndidi Okogwu November 1, 1948 Asaba, Southern Region, British Nigeria (now Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria) |
| Died | December 27, 2009 (aged 61) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Spouse | |
| Children | Mohammed, Aminu, Aisha, Halima |
| Alma mater | La Salle Extension University (Chicago, Illinois, U.S.) (Diploma) NCR Institute in Lagos (Certificate in Computer Science) |
| Profession | Activist |
Maryam Babangida (November 1, 1948 – December 27, 2009) was the wife of General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, who was Nigeria's head of state from 1985 to 1993. Her husband was the target of criticism for rampant corruption during his regime. She was credited with creating the position of First Lady of Nigeria.
As first lady, she launched many programmes to improve the life of women. The "Maryam Phenomenon" became a celebrity and "an icon of beauty, fashion and style", a position she retained after her husband's exit from power.