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UK Based Celebrity, Alhaja FUNMI BAWALA
Love stories often take unexpected turns, but for UK-based celebrity, Alhaja Funmi Bawala, meeting her husband at just 18 years old marked the beginning of a lifelong journey. In a world where young love can be fleeting, hers grew into a beautiful commitment—rooted in friendship, mentorship, and unwavering support. Now, as she looks back on their remarkable bond, she shares how fate brought them together and how their love has withstood the test of time.
Alhaja Funmi Bawala’s love story is one of deep admiration and mutual growth. Her husband, Dr. Oluwakemi Bawala, wasn’t just the man she fell in love with; he became her mentor, teacher, and greatest supporter. Despite their age difference and her initial hesitation, his persistence, intelligence, and kindness won her over. From guiding her through her studies to standing by her in life’s challenges, their love transcended romance, becoming a partnership built on trust, companionship, and shared dreams.
In this exclusive interview with City People reporter JAMIU ABUBAKAR (08085185886), Alhaja Funmi Bawala reminisces about the first time she met her husband, the qualities that attracted her to him, and how they have nurtured their relationship over the years. With humor, gratitude, and heartfelt honesty, she opens up about their love, their challenges, and the invaluable lessons they have learned along the way. Enjoy excerpts from this inspiring love story:
Can you tell us how you met your husband?
My husband, my darling husband, Dr. Oluwakemi Bawala—a loving, caring man, the kind of man every woman would dream of, but sorry, he’s only mine! I met him in December 1992 at Radio Nigeria in Ibadan. I was just 18 at the time. He drove up and parked right beside me, and I thought, Look at this man! Is he about to brush me aside? Then he stepped out of the car, walked up to me, and said, “I want to know you better.”
I was surprised. You want to know me better? I told him I wasn’t ready—I was too young. But he never gave up. That was how it all began. From that moment, our relationship took off, and we became inseparable—like siblings. Oh, we fight, we fight a lot! But within seconds, you wouldn’t even know who was arguing. That’s just us. We understand each other, and we know how to manage our differences. Since that day in 1992, we have built a life together and are blessed with two wonderful children.
What would you say attracted you to him?
What first attracted me to him? Well, he was handsome, and I liked his stature. To be honest, I have never been drawn to very tall men. I always felt like I might be vulnerable around them or that they might have an upper hand over me. But when I saw someone closer to my height, I felt an instant connection. He was also the first man I had ever met in a romantic sense.
Beyond his looks, his education stood out to me. At the time, I was preparing to resit my WAEC exams. When we introduced ourselves, he casually mentioned, “Oh, I’m doing my PhD.” I was shocked! PhD? I thought, Ah! This one has gone far ahead! I even joked that he wanted to “eat alone” because the gap between us seemed too wide. But he proved me wrong.
He nurtured me. He stood by me. He went through past WAEC and JAMB questions with me, mentoring me like a teacher. He would even assign me essays to write and then review them. With a man like that, what more was I looking for? It wasn’t about money—he didn’t have much then—but his support and guidance were priceless. Today, I thank Allah for bringing him into my life. We have come a long way, and my greatest prayer is that we continue to live long, see our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and continue growing in love and happiness.
Thank you very much.
