Background
She is the granddaughter of Liberia"s 17th president, Charles D. B. King.
She is the granddaughter of Liberia"s 17th president, Charles D. B. King.
Akerele studied at the University of Ibadan in Nigeria and graduated from Brandeis University in Massachusetts, United States with a Bachelor of Arts in economics.
She earned her first Master of Arts from Northeastern University in manpower economics, then a second Master of Arts from Columbia University in economics of education. Akerele also completed her first year at the University of Liberia Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law. She later served for over 20 years at the United Nations.
Upon the election of Sirleaf as president in 2005, Akerele was appointed as the Minister of Commerce and Industry.
Following a 2007 cabinet shakeup, she replaced veteran diplomat George Wallace as Minister of Foreign Affairs. On 3 November 2010, Sirleaf dismissed her entire cabinet, including Akerele.
She resigned that same day. Following the appointment of Toga G. McIntosh as Akerele"s successor, Sirleaf disclosed that Akerele had resigned in order to receive medical treatment for an undisclosed illness.