Folorunsho Alakija; The Multidisciplinary Icon.

Folorunsho Alakija; The Multidisciplinary Icon. 

Folorunsho Alakija was born on the 15th July, 1951 into a polygamous family where her mother was the first of 8 wives. She had her Nursery education in Lagos and she traveled to the United Kingdom at age 7 to continue her primary education at Dinorben School For Girls in Hafodous Hall in Liangernyw, Wales. She returned and attended Muslim High School in Sagamu, Ogun State, Nigeria. She afterwards went for secretarial studies at Pitman's Central College, London. Her career path afterwards has been very excellent. Sha began her career in 1974 as an executive secretary at Sijuade Enterprises, Lagos, Nigeria. She worked in the banking sector for 12 years, holding various posts. 

     Folorunsho Alakija studied Fashion Design at The American college in London and then Central School of Fashion. With her great passion for fashion, she started a fashion label 'Supreme Stitches' which was later renamed in 1996 'The Rose of Sharon House of Fashion'. 

She served as the National President of the Fashion Designers of Nigeria (FADAN) and used her fashion and style to promote the Nigerian culture. 

         The beginning of another notable aspect in the career of Folorunsho Alakija was in May, 1993 when she applied for the allocation of an Oil Prospecting Licence (OPL) and it was granted to Alakija's company, Famfa Limited. She is also the Executive Vice Chairman of Dayspring Property Development company Limited, a real estate company with investments in different part of the world. 

     The governor of Osun State re-appointed her as the chancellor of Osun State University which was effective from 9th of March, 2021. She is the first female to be appointed as the Chancellor of a Public university in Nigeria. Apostle Folorunsho Alakija is a minister at Sharon Rose Glorious Ministry International. She is the richest woman in Nigeria. She was listed as the 96th most powerful women in the world by Forbes and she was 86th on the list at 2015. Benson Idahosa University, Benin City awarded her honorary Doctorate Degree in Business administration on July 17, 2021. 

     She has contributed vibrantly in the business world and she has assisted widows and orphans through her foundation, Rose of Sharon Foundation with Scholarships and business grants. She donated a skill acquisition center at Yaba College of Technology in Lagos. Folorunsho Alakija is not just a billionaire but a philanthropist and a business woman who worked hard for all that she is today. Showcasing her multidisciplinary breakthrough in various aspects, Folorunsho is definitely an influential woman. 

     She is married to Modupe Alakija with four sons. The Nigerian disc jockey and record producer, Dj Xclusive (Rotimi Alakija) is her nephew. 

A woman who is of great worth because of her immeasurable contribution and support remains an inspiration to many. 

©️Olufayo, Ebunoluwa Oluwafunmilola

TheWritingIsadora

#5womenofinfluence