Ibukun Awosika, former chairperson of First Bank Nigeria, recently shared a powerful reflection on her marriage during a preaching session at Celebration Church. Her story revolved around the first 13 years of her marriage to her husband, Abiodun, and how they weathered the challenges of significant income disparity without letting it strain their relationship.
In her candid talk, Awosika revealed that for more than a decade, she out-earned her husband while he worked to build his career in the public sector, specifically with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). Despite the financial differences, the couple chose to view their income gap as an opportunity for collaboration and growth, rather than a source of division.
Awosika’s career journey was centered around building a manufacturing business that saw both slow periods and more prosperous times. She earned substantial sums during lucrative deals but faced the volatility that came with the industry. Her husband, on the other hand, was a steady presence in his role as a petroleum engineer—dedicated and reliable, qualities she attributes to his prudent and responsible nature.
Her reflections on the partnership between her and Abiodun were heartfelt: “He’s the most responsible and diligent man I know,” Awosika said, emphasizing that her husband’s organizational skills were key in maintaining stability for their family, even when her own business faced ups and downs. “We would never go hungry because he would make sure of that,” she added.
Rather than focusing on financial differences, Awosika encouraged women to consider money as merely a tool to achieve shared goals. She shared how, over the years, she remained supportive of her husband’s ambitions, particularly when he held onto a promise from the Bible (Amos 9:13). While she didn’t actively focus on it, she believed deep down that her husband’s dedication would eventually bear fruit.
Thirteen years later, their belief paid off. President Obasanjo’s decision to allocate smaller oil fields to Nigerians led to a game-changing opportunity. Abiodun and his colleagues applied for the oil fields, and it was Abiodun who succeeded in securing one. From that moment onward, the couple’s fortunes began to shift dramatically.
For Awosika, this period was not just about financial success but the understanding that true teamwork in marriage is about trust, patience, and support. Her words carried a deeper message: “Money is a tool. Use it to achieve things together.” She went on to stress that the most important thing was the unity between her and her husband, their shared vision, and their faith in God.
Reflecting on her experience, Awosika told the audience, “Do not make money an issue in your home.” She underscored that when a couple truly understands each other’s strengths and works together as a team, they can overcome any obstacle. “One plus one is not just mathematics. It is a powerful combination when two people, aligned in faith and purpose, come together as one.”
Awosika and Abiodun married in 1990 and are parents to three children. The story of their marriage, according to Awosika, is not just about financial prosperity but the strength of mutual respect and unwavering belief in each other’s potential.