Folorunsho alakija net worth and biograhphy

Folorunsho Alakija is a Nigerian businesswoman and philanthropist who has made a significant impact in the fashion, oil, and real estate industries. Here is her biography and net worth:

Early Life and Education

Folorunsho Alakija was born on July 15, 1951, in Ikorodu, Lagos State, Nigeria. She is the eldest of 52 children born to her father, Chief L.A. Ogbara, a successful farmer and a politician. Alakija's mother, Mrs. Olayinka Ogbara, was a homemaker.

Alakija attended the Muslim High School in Sagamu, Ogun State, and later studied secretarial studies at Pitman's Central College in London. She also attended the London School of Fashion, where she earned a diploma in fashion design.

Career

Alakija's career in fashion began in the 1980s when she started a small fashion label, Rose of Sharon House of Fashion, which specialized in designing and manufacturing high-quality fabrics. Her designs were popular among Nigerian women, and her business grew rapidly.

In the 1990s, Alakija ventured into the oil industry, partnering with the South Atlantic Petroleum Company (SAPETRO) to explore for oil in Nigeria. Her company, Famfa Oil Limited, was granted an oil prospecting license (OPL) 216 in 1996. In 2013, the company discovered oil in commercial quantities, making Alakija one of the richest women in Africa.

Alakija has also invested in real estate, with a portfolio of properties in Nigeria and abroad. She is the founder of the Rose of Sharon Group, which has interests in fashion, oil, real estate, and other sectors.

Philanthropy

Alakija is a devout Christian and a philanthropist who has supported various charitable causes in Nigeria and abroad. She has donated to organizations such as the Nigerian Red Cross Society, the Lagos State Government's Free Maternal and Child Healthcare Program, and the University of Lagos.

In 2013, Alakija established the Rose of Sharon Foundation, which provides scholarships to students from low-income backgrounds. She has also built a hospital in her hometown, Ikorodu, which provides free medical care to the community.

Net Worth

Folorunsho Alakija's net worth is estimated to be around $1.5 billion, making her one of the richest women in Africa. Her wealth comes from her successful businesses in fashion, oil, and real estate, as well as her investments in other sectors.

Awards and Recognition

Alakija has received several awards and recognition for her achievements, including:

Personal Life

Alakija is married to Modupe Alakija, a successful businessman, and they have four children together. She is a devout Christian and a member of the Redeemed Christian Church of God. Alakija is known for her humility and generosity, and is widely respected in Nigeria and beyond for her business acumen and philanthropic efforts.