Folorunsho Alakija was born on July 15 1951 in Ikorodu, Lagos State, Nigeria to the family of Chief L.A. Ogbara. She is from a polygamous family, and her father had eight wives and fifty-two children. Folorunsho's mother was the first wife, and of all the surviving children, Folorunsho was the second. Her mum was a fabric merchant and a hardworking woman. She learned a lot from her, which has made her to become a successful billionaire businesswoman today.
When Alakija was seven, she traveled to the United Kingdom to run a four-year primary education at Danorben School for Girls in Hafodunos Hall in Llangernyw, Wales. On her return to Nigeria, she proceeded to Muslim High School in Sagamu Ogun State, Nigeria. Afterwards, she went abroad again for her secretarial studies at Pitman's Central College, London. To boost are fashion career, she studied fashion design at the American College, London and the Central School of Fashion.
Folorunsho Alakija started her robost career in 1974 at Sijuade Enterprise in Lagos, Nigeria where she worked as an executive secretary. Thereafter, she moved to the former first National Bank of Chicago (now FinBank now acquired by First City Monument Bank) where she worked for some period before setting-up a tailoring company called Supreme Stitches. Fortunately for her, within few years her company became famous and prominent, and Rose of Sharon House of Fashion became a household name. She became the national president and lifelong trustee of the Fashion Designers Association of Nigeria (FADAN), where she left a fascinating legacy by promoting Nigerian Culture through fashion and style.
Her involvement in the oil sector started in May 1993 when she applied for the allocation of an oil prospecting license (OPL). She succeeded, and OPL 216 was granted to her company, Fam Limited. September 1996, she entered into a joint venture agreement with Star Deep Petroleum Limited (a subsidiary of Texaco) and appointed the company as a technical adviser for the exploration of the license, transferring 40% of her 100% stake to Star Deep Company. After some time, Star Deep sold off 80% of its stake in OPL 216 to a Brazilian company called Petrobras. On 9th March 2016, Alakija became the first female chancellor in Nigeria at Osun State University.
She is a religious woman who puts her total trust on God.
she is not interested in politics. However, she believes her service to humanity is to look after widows and orphans through The Rose of Sharon Foundation
Quotations:
"God never fails when you make a covenant with Him. I noticed that in the Bible, so I decided to take that challenge. I made a covenant with Him that if He blesses me, I will work for Him all the days of my life"
“I once dared to dream and if I could succeed, then so can you!”
“Persevere – Never give up! Today’s world enjoys electricity because of those who did not give up!”
“Rome was not built in a day. As you continue to struggle to make ends meet, somewhere, somehow, you will make it.”
“I did not start from here. I started on a small scale. When I was working for someone else, I spent my weekend buying and selling. I sold jewellery. I sold scarfs. My husband was also doing some buying and selling. Yet, he is a lawyer.”
“People should not just look at people who are on top. They should go and study how they got there and the challenges they had to face as they while climbing the ladder.”
“Ask yourself whose voice are you listening to? What you see in me is the result of prayer and hard work and obedience to the voice of God.”
“Just start small with what you have and you can grow the business.”
“I never went to a university, and I am proud to say so because I don’t think I have done too badly.”
“We must learn NOT to be fearful or anxious about the future – fear restricts your ability to progress and reach your full potential in Christ.”
“I want to tell someone here today, that just as He (God) singled me out to bless in all areas of my life, He will do that same to you: if you listen to His voice. “
“I’m not working as a loner. God is kind; He is bringing the right people at the right time.”
“Work hard do not sit back and expect a miracle – there are no “Get Rich Quick Methods” with God.”
“In developed societies, technical people like plumbers are making a lot of money. Electricians and painters are making good money. Our youth should think in terms of what they can do with their hands.”
“It’s essential to draw up a “things to do” list on a daily basis and set priorities in executing them, making sure that any unfinished task get posted to the next day’s list.”
“I am what you could refer to as a ‘workaholic’. I am diligent and resilient in everything that I do and have a motto that says ‘What is worth doing, is worth doing extremely well”
“Failure is a tool to get to the promise land. We all enjoy light today. Thomas Edison Failed a thousand times for us.”
“Don’t look for shortcuts.”
“We see people who are walking freely in sin but we need to turn and listen to the voice of God because with obedience comes blessings.”
“Our country faces many challenges, but I want to encourage you all not to focus on the issues plaguing us, rather see yourselves as the Change Agents of God that this country so desperately need.”
Alakija is known for her entrepreneurship spirit. She is a determined and hardworking woman. She is also known for her philanthropic activities.
Physical Characteristics: She is light brown in colour, and of average size and height
She is married and has four sons
