Born to the late Ven. (Dr.) J. Olumide Lucas and Mrs. R. Ibironke Lucas (Nee Oluwole) in Lagos, Nigeria on 11th May 1937, she received her early education at Princess School, Methodist Girls High School and was one of the very select few girls to have attended Kings College Lagos.  She attended the University of Durham, England where she obtained a joint degree in Modern History, Philosophy and Social Economics.