Clementina Ajayi

Clementina Olufunmilayo Ajayi was born on January 21, 1941 to PA James Opayinka Ajayi, a civil servant and district officer in northern Nigeria and Mrs. Beatriz Osaboya  Ajayi (nee Oshondi).  She was the first of PA Ajayi’s children, and they lived in the European quarters in Zaira when she was younger.  Since her father’s job involved postings to numerous cities in Nigeria, Funmi attended schools in various cities.  She spoke fluent Yoruba, English, and Hausa.  After Funmilayo completed her elementary and secondary education, she left Nigeria for the United Kingdom to pursue a course in Secretarial Studies.  She returned to Nigeria in July, 1964, after the completion of her studies.

Funmi was tall like her father; she grew up to become an elegant statuesque woman.  Her features made it easy for her to thrive as a model.  Some of the memorable advertising campaigns she did included Pepsodent toothpaste TV and print, Lux beauty soap, and many fashion magazine covers.  She was the Drum Magazine, Nigerian edition, cover girl for February 1966, which was Africa’s leading magazine at that time.  Her bookings in fashion carried her to some of the most glamorous cities in the world in those days. She shared stories of trips to Beirut, Paris, Las Palmas, and Rome.

Later, Funmilayo returned to England to study fashion and interior design at the Royal College of Art in Kensington, England. Later, she studied Cosmetology in the USA.  After returning home, she started the first baby clothing mass production factory in Nigeria.  Later, she opened St Michel, a popular ladies fashion boutique and hair salon, in Ikeja, Lagos State. She was the consummate business woman and had several other businesses.

A lover of nature, Funmilayo appreciated, and could name and tell you how to propagate most flowers.  She cultivated buoyant gardens in all of her homes.

Funmi was well liked and always ready to help when called upon.  She was sophisticated, elegant, creative, stylish, soft spoken, kind, and a devoted Christian. She made any event better and cooler. She was a good singer and a member of her church choir.

Funmi is survived by her five children, Olugbenga Adebiyi, Modupe Adebiyi, Adewole Olajide, Rotimi Fagbemi, and Lola Adesida. She is also survived by her four grandchildren and brothers and sisters.