For many women, motherhood is long behind them by age 63. But Mrs. Janet Ajibola’s story is an exception. After more than four decades of marriage and multiple disappointments, she welcomed twin boys — conceived and delivered naturally. In this interview with Grace Edema, she shares her journey.
Congratulations on the arrival of your twins.
Yes, thank you. I had two boys — twins — and I delivered them on October 3, 2025.
Are these your first children?
Yes, they are my first. But this is not my first pregnancy. I will be 63 years old in December; I was born on December 17, 1962.
Tell us a bit about your background.
I retired years ago from the Lagos State Ministry of Education, where I worked as a teacher. After leaving service voluntarily, I devoted myself to ministry work.
What do you do now?
I’m an evangelist and also a trained midwife. I deliver babies and care for pregnant women. I worship at Christ Apostolic Church.
How long have you been married?
I’ve been married for over 40 years. By February 2026, it will be 41 years.
Why did it take so long to have a child?
I used to get pregnant, but every time I went for antenatal checks, the scans showed no foetus. Instead, I was diagnosed with fibroids. I had a fibroid surgery at Babcock University Medical Centre in 2009. They later grew back. The same thing happened in 2013 — the scans continued to show no pregnancy despite my symptoms. We kept praying. People suggested different options, but my husband and I decided to stick to God’s promises.
About a year ago, someone tested me and told me I was pregnant, but I couldn’t find her again afterwards. Earlier this year, another person examined me, prescribed immune boosters and pregnancy medications — higher doses — then travelled as well, so I lost contact.
Eventually, someone else checked me again and said I was carrying twins. She also confirmed I was due soon. I prepared myself, went there, and by God’s grace, I delivered the twins on October 3.
Was the delivery natural?
Yes, it was a completely natural birth.
During the pregnancy, did your stomach show?
It was visible, but not in a way that made it obvious to everyone. A few people suspected, but it wasn’t pronounced.
Did you experience the usual pregnancy symptoms?
Yes. I felt all the signs — even movement. But the scans kept giving conflicting results.
What exactly were the scans showing?
They consistently reported that there was no baby.
How many pregnancies did you have before this?
I can’t recall the exact number. There were many. I remember one that ended because of fibroids, and several others over the years. We just kept trusting God until He answered us.
To be clear, you didn’t use IVF?
No, I didn’t. People advised us to try it, but we decided against it. Besides, we didn’t have the money. I had already retired, and my husband had retired from his work in an oil company. Maybe if it were in earlier years, we might have considered it — but at this stage, IVF wasn’t financially possible.
Are the twins identical?
Yes, they are.
How did you and your husband cope with over 40 years of childlessness?
It was God’s grace. My husband is truly a man of faith. He always reminded me of Matthew 6:33: “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.”
He would say, “If God gives us children, we give Him glory. If He doesn’t, our faith remains.” That mindset strengthened us.
People talked, as expected, but God surrounded us with supportive Christian brethren. And even though we didn’t have biological children all those years, our home was always full — relatives’ children, friends’ children, and even children without parents. Many lived with us, and we cared for them.
