Tolu Odukoya, daughter of the late Pastors Taiwo and Bimbo Odukoya, opens up about her life at 40. In an exclusive conversation with Fountain of Life’s Truth Table, she reflects on her journey of faith, the challenges of a broken marriage, and the lessons that have shaped her as a mother, pastor, and woman of faith.
Growing up in love
“I was born at number 12, Oyatogun Road, Ogba. It was a big compound with a garden,” Tolu said. She recalled her grandfather visiting from Kaduna and feeding her eko, a memory that shaped her early life.
Her father, who worked with NNPC, carried a brown briefcase and often shared cake icing with her when she needed medicine. Her mother, hands-on and loving, filled her days with laughter and fried meat.
Her schooling at Starland Private School in Ikeja was equally warm. She remembered being escorted by Pastor Chris Okotie and visiting the Adefarasins’ house. “It was a good childhood. It was warm. It was love,” she said.
A call to serve
Tolu did not initially imagine becoming a pastor. “There were times I would stare at the mirror and look at the person I was seeing and say the person I was seeing is not me,” she reflected.
She watched her parents’ selflessness and devotion to God, realising that being a pastor required sacrifices she wasn’t sure she could make. Yet, her spiritual journey deepened over time.
Her father eventually ordained her in absentia in 2017. “Being the first child, I felt that once you are given something to do, I had a responsibility to do it. As soon as I accepted in my heart to take up the challenge, something changed. I was not the same again after that day,” she said.
Lessons from her parents
Tolu credits much of her grounding to her parents. “Home was a haven for me. But above everything else, the lives of my parents told the story of the love of God to us,” she said.
Her father taught her practical life lessons, including childcare and faith. Her mother inspired her with prayer and devotion. Even after her mother passed, Tolu leaned on her father for guidance.
Influences beyond home
Beyond her parents, she looked up to figures such as Pastor Ibukun Awosika, Bishop Mike Okonkwo and his wife and Pastor Enoch Adeboye and his wife. Their example of balancing faith and professional life influenced her journey.
Finding herself in her twenties
In her twenties, Tolu lived abroad and explored life on her own terms. She enjoyed social life responsibly, understanding her boundaries, but also sought God for herself. Her mother’s passing was a defining moment. “That whole experience shaped my life,” she said.
Watching her father navigate grief with faith and grace shaped her understanding of God and people. “I watched him in those times. His life made me a Christian,” she reflected.
Broken marriage
The past ten years brought some of the most challenging moments in Tolu Odukoya’s life. She separated from her husband, Olumide Ijogun, after more than a decade of marriage. Blessed with three children, she described the end of her marriage as a deeply personal loss, a “death in a way” that reshaped her understanding of life, faith, and relationships.
“It was circumstances beyond my control. Sometimes you do not get into marriage to leave a marriage. When your marriage is over, it’s a death in a way,” she said. She acknowledged that even good people, when not divinely aligned, may not sustain a marriage despite love or effort.
The separation also prompted reflection on her spiritual journey. “It got to a point where I began to ask, why am I serving God? Do I serve God because He can do all things and give all things to us? Or serve Him because He first gave His all for me?” she explained.
Tolu credited her family for helping her navigate this period. Their encouragement and support gave her space to grieve, reflect, and rebuild her life. She affirmed the value of marriage despite personal loss. “Marriage is good. It is amazing. And that is why the devil is attacking marriages. Marriage is beautiful, and it is God’s idea,” she said.
Turning 40
Reflecting on her milestone, Tolu said: “This milestone has made me think of my parents. I would have loved them to be around. I was crying the other time, not because I lost my parents, but because of the love of Jesus for me.”
She expressed gratitude for her children, siblings, and her journey. “I feel I just woke up. The experiences I have had have made me see life better. I don’t know what the next 40 holds. But I have God.”
Legacy and availability
Tolu wants her legacy to be one of service and availability to God. “God is not looking for perfect vessels. He is looking for available people. He is the one who will perfect the vessels,” she said.
She acknowledged her imperfections but emphasised her desire to remain committed to serving others and spreading faith.
