Folorunso Alakija facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Folorunso Alakija
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| Born | 15 July 1951 |
| Occupation | Businesswoman |
| Spouse(s) |
Modupe Alakija m. 1976
(no value) |
| Children | 4 |
Folorunso Alakija is a very successful Nigerian businesswoman and a kind person who helps others. She was born on July 15, 1951. She is currently in charge of The Rose of Sharon Group. She also helps lead Famfa Oil Limited, an oil company.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Folorunso Alakija grew up in a middle-class family. Her father had many children, and her mother was his first wife. She is from the Yoruba ethnic group in Nigeria.
When she was ten years old, Folorunso went to the United Kingdom for her schooling. She later returned to Nigeria to attend Muslim High School in Shagamu. After that, she went back to England to study secretarial skills at Pitman's Central College in London.
Her Amazing Career
Folorunso Alakija started her career in 1974. She worked for 12 years in the banking industry. She began as an executive secretary at Sijuade Enterprises in Lagos, Nigeria. Later, she worked at the First National Bank of Chicago. She also became the head of the Corporate Affairs Department at the International Merchant Bank of Nigeria.
Fashion Business
After her banking career, Folorunso Alakija decided to study fashion design. She attended the American College in London and the Central School of Fashion. She then started her own fashion company called Supreme Stitches. In 1996, she changed its name to The Rose of Sharon House of Fashion. She was also the president of the Fashion Designers Association of Nigeria (FADAN).
Oil Business
In 1993, Mrs. Alakija applied for a special license to search for oil. Her company, Famfa Limited, received a license for a large area off the coast of Nigeria. This area was about 617,000 acres.
In 1996, she made a deal with another company, Star Deep Water Petroleum Limited. She gave them a 40 percent share of her oil block. After they found oil, the Nigerian government also took a share. The government first claimed 40% and then an additional 10% of the oil block.
Awards and Recognition
Forbes magazine has recognized Folorunso Alakija as one of the world's most powerful women. In 2021, she was named the richest woman in Africa.
She has also received special honors from universities. In 2021, Benson Idahosa University gave her an honorary doctorate degree in business. In 2022, Chrisland University also honored her with an honorary doctorate degree in Business Administration.
Helping Others: Philanthropy
Folorunso Alakija cares deeply about helping people. She started The Rose of Sharon Foundation. This foundation gives scholarships to children who have lost a parent. It also provides money and support to widows to help them start businesses.
Mrs. Alakija has also given a special center to Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech). This center helps students learn useful skills for jobs.
Personal Life
Folorunso Alakija married Modupe Alakija in November 1976. They live in Lagos, Nigeria, and have four sons.
See also
In Spanish: Folorunsho Alakija para niños
