By Ghazali Ibrahim
Nigerian billionaire businesswoman and philanthropist, Folorunso Alakija, has lost her sight completely, according to medical sources involved in her care.
This unfortunate development follows a series of health issues triggered by a near air mishap, which caused a spike in her blood pressure and affected her vision.
Alakija, 73, the founder and Executive Vice Chairman of Famfa Oil, was traveling with her husband, Modupe Alakija, the Chairman of Famfa Oil, when the near-miss incident occurred.
The distressing event reportedly led to a rapid deterioration in her health, with her vision slowly worsening until it was completely lost. Sources revealed that after the incident, she ordered a new jet to avoid traveling on the same flight as her husband, but her eyesight continued to decline.
Born on July 15, 1951, Alakija came from a large family in Lagos. Her father, Chief L.A. Ogbara, was a prominent figure with eight wives and 52 children. Alakija’s mother was his first wife, and the family hails from Ikorodu, a Yoruba ethnic group of southwestern Nigeria.
Her journey to success began at a young age. At the age of 10, Alakija traveled to the United Kingdom to further her education. She attended Muslim High School in Shagamu, Nigeria, before returning to England to pursue secretarial studies at Pitman’s Central College in London. It was in these formative years that she built the foundation for her future success.
Alakija’s career took off when she entered the oil industry. She is the founder of Famfa Oil, a Nigerian company with a significant stake in OML 127, one of the most lucrative oil blocks in the Agbami deep water oilfield in Nigeria. Her business acumen has made her one of the wealthiest women in Africa.
As of 2020, Forbes estimated her net worth at $1 billion. In 2015, she was ranked 87th on Forbes’ list of the world’s most powerful women and was one of only two African women on the list of the richest people in Africa.
However, despite her immense wealth and success, Alakija’s health has taken a significant toll. Following the loss of her sight, sources indicated that rather than seeking immediate medical attention, she had previously chosen to focus on spiritual pursuits, including starting a church, the Rose of Sharon Glorious Ministry International, which she founded after hosting small fellowships in her home from 2004. On her 69th birthday, she was ordained as an Apostle.
Alakija’s condition has been met with a great deal of sympathy from her fans and the public. As a leading philanthropist, she has touched many lives with her charitable efforts. Her loss of vision marks a difficult chapter in the life of one of Nigeria’s most influential and respected business figures.
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