The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has married Queen Zaynab Ngohemba, the former wife of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, it has been confirmed.
The development became public on Friday following a social media post by a Facebook user and member of the Dajoh family, Mr Abraham Double-D Dajoh, who announced the union and shared photographs of the couple. The post revealed that Queen Zaynab has been formally welcomed into the Dajoh family home in Mbakor, Benue State, marking her official entry into the Akume family.
In the widely circulated post, the Dajoh family described the union as “beautiful” and “uncommon,” expressing joy over the addition of Queen Zaynab to their household. According to the family, the reception of the former Olori into the family was carried out with cultural significance befitting the occasion.
“We, the entire Dajoh Family, happily join our daddy, uncle and brother, His Excellency, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume Jugu Dajoh, in welcoming his new and uncommon wife, Queen Zaynab Ngohemba-George Akume Dajoh, into the Dajoh family,” the statement read.
The family also used the opportunity to appreciate political associates, supporters, and well-wishers of the SGF, urging them to continue their support as he embarks on a new chapter in his personal life.
“We appreciate and thank the fans and supporters of Sen. Akume for always standing by him. We enjoin everyone to continue to support His Excellency even in this beautiful union with Queen Zaynab,” the post added.
Queen Zaynab, formerly known as Olori Wuraola, was married to the Ooni of Ife for about 17 months before their union ended in 2017. Since then, she has remained in the public eye as a humanitarian and social figure. Her formal reception into the Akume family was reportedly conducted in December at the family’s ancestral home in Mbakor, Benue State.
The announcement coincided with the Christmas season, with the Dajoh family extending festive goodwill to Nigerians. “We wish you all a happy Christmas celebration and a prosperous New Year,” the statement concluded.
The news of the marriage has generated significant attention across social and political circles, given Senator Akume’s prominent role in national politics and Queen Zaynab’s past as a royal figure in one of Nigeria’s most revered traditional institutions.
Senator Akume, a former Governor of Benue State and former Senator, currently serves as Secretary to the Government of the Federation under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. He is regarded as one of the key figures in the federal executive, with decades of political experience at both state and national levels.
Reacting to the reports, the SGF’s spokesman, Mr Yomi Odunuga, confirmed the marriage in a telephone interview on Friday. However, he clarified that contrary to widespread speculation, the marriage did not take place recently.
“I can confirm the marriage. However, contrary to the rumour that the marriage was concretised in Gboko on Christmas Eve when the couple appeared together at an event to celebrate Christmas, it was actually a marriage that is over a year old,” Odunuga said.
He explained that the recent public appearance of the couple during the festive period may have contributed to the misconception that the union was newly contracted.
Despite the clarification, the formal welcome of Queen Zaynab into the Dajoh family this December has brought renewed public attention to the marriage, making it one of the most discussed social developments involving a top government official in recent times.
