Maryam Babangida

Who was Maryam Babangida?

Maryam Babangida 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 and making it her own.

As first lady, she launched many programmes to improve the life of women. The "Maryam Phenomenon" became a celebrity and a "an icon of beauty, fashion and style", a position she retained after her husband's fall from power.