Background and Education: Born on November 20, 1949, in Sapele, Delta State, Nigeria, Lady Maiden Alex Ibru (née Thomopulos) is a distinguished Nigerian media executive and high society matriarch. She is the daughter of Mr. Aristotelis Thomopulos, a Greek settler in Nigeria, and Mrs. Hannah Thomopulos (née Omaghomi), who is a descendant of the Olomu of Koko, the Governor-General of the area in the 1880s. Maiden Ibru’s early education began at the Children’s Home School in Ibadan, followed by secondary education at Queen’s School, Ede. She furthered her studies at the University of Ibadan, earning a combined honors degree in English and Theatre Studies in 1972. She then pursued a master’s degree in Communications and Media Studies from American University in Washington D.C., which she completed in 1974.

Career and Leadership: Maiden Ibru has had a significant influence on Nigerian media through her leadership roles at The Guardian Newspapers. She was the wife of the late Alex Ibru, the founder and Chairman of Guardian Press Limited, which owns The Guardian newspaper, established in 1983. Following her husband’s passing in 2011, Maiden Ibru took over as the Chief Executive Officer of Guardian Press Limited, a position she held for 11 years. In 2019, she was appointed Chairman of Guardian Press Limited, becoming the Publisher and Chief Executive Officer of The Guardian Newspapers.

In addition to her media career, Lady Maiden Ibru plays an active role in philanthropy as a director of the Trinity Foundation, a charitable organization founded by her late husband. The foundation supports institutions and civil society organizations that promote democratic values and an open society. Notably, it has made significant contributions to the Anglican Church in Nigeria and built an Ecumenical Centre in Agbarha-Otor.

Recognition and Honors: Lady Maiden Ibru’s contributions have been recognized both nationally and internationally. In 2007, the Greek Parliament awarded her the “Golden Cross of Welfare,” and in 2012, she was honored with the Ladyship title of the “Cross of Saint Mark” by the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria. Her philanthropic efforts were further recognized in 2014 when she received the Special Philanthropy Award of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (SP FRN) from the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP-Nig). In September of the same year, she was conferred with the national honor of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) of Nigeria.

On her 70th birthday in November 2019, President Muhammadu Buhari praised her leadership at The Guardian and her work with the Trinity Foundation, highlighting her contributions to the welfare of underprivileged families and the empowerment of the girl-child.

Lady Maiden Ibru’s life and career exemplify dedication to excellence in media, philanthropy, and public service, making her a prominent figure in Nigerian society and beyond.