Godwin Ajala: A Nigerian Hero’s Legacy at the World Trade Centre and a Family’s Battle for Justice

A Dreamer’s Journey to the U.S. for the New York Bar Exam

Godwin Ajala was a man of ambition and sacrifice, born on June 9, 1968, in Ihenta, a small town in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Growing up in the aftermath of the Nigerian Civil War, Ajala became a lawyer in his homeland, supporting his wife, Victoria, and their three young children—Onyinyechi (7), Uchechukwu (5), and Ugochi (1). In 1995, driven by the dream of a better life, Ajala immigrated to the United States, leaving his family behind in Ihenta. His goal was clear: pass the New York State Bar Exam, establish a legal practice, and eventually bring his family to join him.

Life in the U.S., however, was far from easy. Unable to afford law school, Ajala took specialised prep courses for the bar exam while working low-wage jobs. He eventually landed a role as a security guard at the World Trade Centre, working the 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. shift. After work, he’d nap briefly before studying for six to eight hours daily, determined to achieve his American dream. Despite his relentless efforts, Ajala failed the bar exam three times, a testament to the challenges he faced as an immigrant with limited resources. Yet, his resolve never wavered—until tragedy struck on September 11, 2001.

A Heroic Sacrifice at the World Trade Centre

On that fateful morning, Ajala, then 33, was stationed at a street-level security post in the lobby of Two World Trade Centre. When the second plane hit, chaos erupted, but Ajala didn’t flee. Instead, he held the door open for countless people escaping the inferno, repeatedly returning inside to guide more to safety. His friend and roommate, Christopher Onuoha, later shared how Ajala’s selflessness defined him that day. Exhausted from his heroic efforts, Ajala fell into a coma and tragically passed away the following Sunday, one of 11 security guards among the nearly 3,000 who perished in the attack. Ajala, the only Nigerian officially listed among the deceased, became a U.S. national hero, his name etched into history as a symbol of courage.

A Lasting Tribute: Godwin Ajala’s Name on the Memorial Stone

Ajala’s legacy endures at the 9/11 Memorial in New York City, where his name is inscribed on the North Pool, Panel N-63, among the victims of the attack. Visitors to the memorial often leave tributes, with some, like Janice Laws in 2013, placing flags in his honour during anniversary commemorations in Dividing Creek, New Jersey. A 2024 guestbook entry on Legacy.com from someone sharing the Ajala surname expressed awe at discovering his heroism, noting how his sacrifice continues to inspire. Ajala’s name on the memorial stone stands as a permanent reminder of his bravery, but for his family, the aftermath of his death brought a different kind of struggle.

The Battle for Compensation: A Family Divided

Ajala’s death left his family grappling with grief, and soon, a bitter legal battle over the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF). The fund, established by Congress to compensate victims’ families, awarded Ajala’s estate $1.46 million, a sum that also included $2 million from life insurance policies secured in 2011. Under New York law, the money was to be distributed among his next of kin: Victoria and their three children. However, Ajala’s mother, Mabel Udu Ajala, challenged this arrangement, igniting a decade-long court case in Manhattan Surrogate’s Court.

The Characters and Twists in the Legal Saga

• Victoria Ajala: Godwin’s wife, who moved to the U.S. after his death using a travel visa that later expired. She stayed to manage her husband’s estate, studying nursing at Hostos Community College and living with Godwin’s friend, Christopher Iwuanyanwu, and his wife in the Bronx. Victoria, alongside Iwuanyanwu, became co-administrator of the estate, securing the VCF award.
• Mabel Udu Ajala: Godwin’s mother and the children’s grandmother, who sought guardianship of Onyinyechi, Uchechukwu, and Ugochi after Godwin’s death. Mabel, based in Nigeria, had already received $380,000 in insurance money but claimed Victoria’s share of the VCF—about $600,000—arguing that Victoria and Godwin were never legally married.
• The Children: Onyinyechi, Uchechukwu, and Ugochi, who were 7, 5, and 1 at the time of their father’s death, were caught in the crossfire. Raised by Mabel in Nigeria, they grew estranged from Victoria, with Onyinyechi later stating in a 2015 affidavit that she had no contact with her mother since her father’s burial.

The case took dramatic turns. In 2005, Mabel obtained guardianship of the children, halting the VCF distribution. She escalated the dispute by securing a Nigerian court ruling that Godwin and Victoria weren’t legally married, aiming to disqualify Victoria from the funds. Victoria and her lawyer countered that Mabel was manipulating the children to secure the money, alleging that Mabel “held the children hostage” for financial gain. The Surrogate’s Court, however, rejected Mabel’s claim in 2010, affirming Victoria’s marriage to Godwin and removing Mabel as co-guardian due to her status as a nonresident alien, which made her ineligible under New York law.

Interesting Facts

• A Surrogate’s Court Standoff: The court proceedings revealed deep family rifts, with the children siding with Mabel against their mother. In June 2015, Onyinyechi and Uchechukwu, now adults, objected to the proposed distribution percentages, prolonging the case.
• A Hero’s Modest Life: Ajala lived in a tiny apartment in Jamaica, Queens, with a roommate, a stark contrast to his dreams of legal success. His friend Iwuanyanwu, also a WTC security guard, recalled Ajala’s tireless work ethic, balancing 8-hour shifts with late-night study sessions.
• A Memorial Connection: Ajala’s story touched strangers worldwide. A 2013 post on 9jabook noted how residents of Dividing Creek, New Jersey, honoured him with a flag, showing how his heroism resonated far beyond his family.

Resolution of the Compensation Case

By 2015, the court case neared resolution. Victoria and Iwuanyanwu filed a final accounting for the $1.46 million VCF award, proposing the following distribution: Victoria would receive 42.5%, while the children, depending on their ages, would get between 16.1% and 23% each. Despite objections from Onyinyechi and Uchechukwu, a judge was set to finalise the shares. While no public record confirms the exact payout date, the court’s affirmation of Victoria’s rights and the dismissal of Mabel’s claims suggest the funds were likely released shortly after 2015, as the legal hurdles were cleared. The money had been held in an account with the New York City Finance Department, awaiting the court’s approval.

Where Are They Now?

Victoria Ajala: A New Chapter?

Victoria, who stayed in the U.S. to manage the estate, pursued nursing studies in the Bronx after Godwin’s death. While there’s no definitive record of her current marital status or whether she had more children, her resilience in navigating the legal battle and rebuilding her life in the U.S. paints a picture of determination. She would be in her late 50s or early 60s today, possibly still living in New York, where she had established roots by 2001.

The Children: Onyinyechi, Uchechukwu, and Ugochi

Godwin’s children, raised by Mabel in Nigeria, are now adults:

• Onyinyechi: Born in 1994, she is 31 years old as of May 15, 2025. Her 2015 affidavit indicates she was in Nigeria, and her estrangement from Victoria suggests she may still reside there, possibly pursuing a career or raising a family of her own.
• Uchechukwu: Born in 1996, he is 29 years old. Like his sister, he objected to the VCF distribution in 2015, indicating he was also in Nigeria at the time. His current occupation or location remains unknown.
• Ugochi: Born in 2000, she is 25 years old. As the youngest, she was too young to participate in the 2015 court filings, but she likely grew up with her siblings under Mabel’s care in Nigeria.

No specific details on their current professions or personal lives are available, but their ages and the context of their upbringing suggest they’ve likely pursued education or careers in Nigeria, shaped by their grandmother’s influence.

Mabel Udu Ajala: The Grandmother’s Legacy

Mabel, Godwin’s mother, played a central role in the legal battle but faded from public records after 2015. As a nonresident alien, she was deemed ineligible to manage the children’s estate by the Surrogate’s Court. Given her age—she would likely be in her late 70s or 80s by 2025—it’s uncertain whether she is still alive. Her $380,000 insurance payout and her guardianship of the children highlight her determination to secure a future for her grandchildren, though her actions deepened the family divide.

A Hero’s Lasting Impact

Godwin Ajala’s story is one of courage, sacrifice, and the complex aftermath of tragedy. From his tireless pursuit of the New York Bar Exam to his heroic actions on 9/11, Ajala embodied the immigrant dream and the selflessness of a true hero. His name on the 9/11 Memorial ensures his legacy endures, but the battle over his compensation fund reveals the human cost of loss—family rifts, legal struggles, and the quest for justice. As of today, the VCF money appears to have been distributed, with Victoria and the children as the primary beneficiaries, though the emotional scars of the ordeal likely linger. Ajala’s story reminds us that even in the face of unimaginable tragedy, the echoes of heroism and the fight for fairness continue to resonate.