She is an engineer by training, a businesswoman by experience, a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and, above all, a devout Christian whose life has been defined by service and faith.
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Born in 1955 into the distinguished Fasuyi family of Ilesa, her story weaves together education, professional excellence, marriage, faith, and community leadership.
In this exclusive interview with Kehinde Adeleye, Olori Animashaun shares the lessons of seven decades of purposeful living.
Can you tell us about your background and career path?
I was born on August 31, 1955, into the Fasuyi family. My education took me between Ilesa and Lagos before I proceeded to Kaduna Polytechnic to study Civil Engineering. Later, I earned additional certificates to strengthen my qualifications.
My career began as a site engineer and site manager, and I was privileged to supervise several major Federal Government projects.
These included the Federal Superphosphate Fertilizer Plant in Kakuri, Kaduna State, under Jagal Engineering Ltd., and the Army Officers’ Quarters in Jaji and Zaria under Bitiyong and Manman Vatsa.
I also worked with several construction companies and managed projects in Lagos and Ogun States, such as borehole projects, overhead tanks, and the Ikeja Local Government Secretariat tank.
Beyond engineering, I ventured into business, particularly in petroleum products, where I sold PMS, DPK, and aviation fuel. That diversification gave me the foundation to support both my family and my community.
You got married in 1984. How has family life shaped you?
Yes, I got married in 1984, after meeting my husband while working at the Ikeja Airport. Today, that man is His Royal Majesty, Oba Kamorudeen Ishola Animashaun, the Oloja of Epe Land and Paramount Ruler of Epe Division. Together, we were blessed with four children-two boys and two girls.
What has been your most memorable moment, and your saddest moment?
Sadly, my first daughter passed away during childbirth in 2016. That was the most painful moment of my life because I followed her to the theatre, but she did not survive.
Despite that loss, God has blessed me with grandchildren and even a great-grandchild. My happiest memory remains the day I gave birth to my first child.
My Christian faith has always guided me. In 2010, my husband honored me with a pilgrimage to Jerusalem in recognition of the way I cared for his late mother. That trip was life-changing and deepened my relationship with God.
As a leader and mother in Epe, what role do you think government and community should play in its development?
I believe government carries the foremost responsibility for development. Infrastructure is key, good roads, reliable electricity, quality schools, functional healthcare centres, and water supply systems are all foundations that allow people to thrive.
But beyond infrastructure, government should also prioritize youth empowerment, vocational training, and job-creation programmes to address unemployment and reduce the migration of our young people to other parts of Lagos.
Security must remain a priority because no community can prosper without safety. We must also attract investors, especially in agriculture, fishing, and tourism, where Epe has natural strengths.
Still, government cannot do it alone. Community members must cooperate by being united, law-abiding, and supportive of initiatives that foster growth.
We must also engage constructively with government and demand accountability. When both government and community play their roles, Epe will rise as a true model of growth in Lagos State.
What is your advice to women who look up to you?
Women must be totally submissive, prayerful, resilient, and strong. Leadership is not an easy journey; it requires courage and clarity of purpose.
I have always believed in empowering women, because when women rise, communities are transformed.
I mobilized support for Governor Ambode for his second-term ambition, not just as a political act, but as a spiritual commitment. We prayed, fasted, and committed our steps to God.
Leadership begins with living a principled life. I do not live a double life.
I am a Christian, and I stand firmly on that foundation.
When I say no, my no is no. I encourage women to stand their ground, stay rooted in faith, and never compromise on what is right, even under pressure.
As you celebrate your 70th birthday, what are your wishes and words of encouragement?
My wish in life is very simple: I want God’s will to always prevail. I have come to understand that life is not about what we plan for ourselves, but about what God permits. His timing and purpose are always perfect.
To those who look up to me, my message is this: surrender your life fully to God. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. No one who trusts him is ever put to shame.
Challenges will surely come, but the grace of God will sustain, strengthen, and lift you to greater heights. That is my testimony at 70: God’s mercy is my greatest strength.
Olori Morenike Animashaun’s story is one of resilience, service, and unshakable faith. From the engineering sites of Kaduna to the palace in Epe, from the challenges of motherhood to the responsibilities of community leadership, she embodies a life lived with courage and purpose.
As the Epe community continues to grow, her voice remains one of wisdom. True leadership, she insists, whether in family, community, or governance, requires focus, resilience, and, above all, trust in God.
From all of us at Eko Hot Blog, we celebrate her life and welcome her into the septuagenarian club.
