She returned to Nigeria in 1976 and soon after married General Obasanjo, who had become Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, following the assassination of General Murtala Mohammed.
Aastal 1976 läks Stella Nigeeriasse tagasi ning abiellus varsti kindral Obasanjoga, kes oli pärast kindral Murtala Muhammadi tapmist saanud Nigeeria riigipeaks ja relvajõudude ülemjuhatajaks.