Folorunsho Alakija (born October 1, 1960) is a Nigerian businesswoman, philanthropist and the richest black woman in the world. Her net worth is estimated at $5.9 billion, making her the first black female billionaire in the world.
Alakija is the founder and chair of Famfa Oil Limited, a Nigerian oil exploration company that was listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange in 2007. She was born in Lagos, Nigeria to an Igbo family. Her grandfather was a general in the Nigerian Army who fought in the Nigerian Civil War. She attended Corona School, a private school in Lagos. She studied business administration at the University of Lagos, graduating in 1981. After graduation, she worked for a textile company in Benin City, the capital of Edo State. She then returned to Lagos and worked for the United African Company.
In 1983, she left UAC to start her own business. She established Famfa Oil, which owned an oil block in Nigeria. She later expanded the company to include other businesses, including a bottling plant and a shipping company.
In 1992, she married Jimoh Ibrahim, a Nigerian businessman who is the founder of Zenon Petroleum and Gas. The couple has two children.
Alakija established the Famfa Foundation, which supports women and children's health and welfare, the arts, education, health and civic education in Nigeria. The foundation supports the Alakija Museum of Visual Arts, a museum that displays art from Nigeria and Africa. It also supports Alakija House, a residence for female students at the University of Lagos. The foundation also supports the Alakija Center for Women and Children, a facility that provides health care, education and vocational training for women.
Alakija is a member of the Global Leadership Foundation, an organization founded by Nelson Mandela that works to promote good governance around the world. She is also a member of the African Leadership Network, a network of African leaders who work to promote good governance in Africa. She is a member of the World Economic Forum. She is also on the boards of directors for several organizations, including the African Petroleum Investment Corporation, Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc and Zenon Petroleum and Gas.
In 2009, Alakija was named the most powerful woman in Africa by Forbes magazine. She was listed as one of the "50 Most Influential Africans" by New African magazine in 2012. She was listed as one of the "Top 100 Most Powerful Women" by Forbes magazine in 2013.
She was listed by Forbes as the richest black woman in the world in 2014.
In November 2015, she was awarded an honorary doctorate degree from the University of Benin.
In January 2016, she was named one of the "50 Most Influential Africans" by New African magazine.
In August 2017, she was listed by Forbes as the richest woman in Africa. She was ranked #1 on the list of black women billionaires for the first time.
In September 2017, she was named the most powerful black woman in Africa by CNN.
In October 2017, she was listed by Forbes as the richest black woman in the world.
In November 2017, she was listed by Forbes as the richest woman in Africa. She was ranked #1 on the list of black women billionaires for the first time.
In November 2018, she was named the richest black woman in Africa by Forbes.
Alakija is a member of the United Nations Secretary General's Advisory Board on Business and Human Rights. She was elected as a member of the Global Leadership Foundation's International Council in 2015. She is also a member of the World Economic Forum's Global Agenda Council on the Future of Africa. In March 2017, she was awarded the World Economic Forum's Humanitarian of the Year award for her philanthropic work in Nigeria. The same year, she was awarded the United Nations' Peace Medal.
In April 2017, she was named a Member of the Order of the Crown of Africa (AC).
In November 2017, she was named a Commander of the Order of the Niger.
In December 2017, Alakija was named a Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour (CH) by the British Queen Elizabeth II.
In January 2018, she was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Japan.
In April 2018, she was listed by Forbes as the richest black woman in the world.
In April 2018, she was awarded the United Nations' Humanitarian of the Year award.
In May 2018, she was named the richest woman in Africa by Forbes.
In June 2018, she was awarded the Global Leadership Award by the World Economic Forum.
In July 2018, she was awarded a Doctor of Civil Laws degree from the University of Benin.
In October 2018, Alakija was awarded the Grand Cordon of the National Order of the Ivory Coast.
In November 2018, she was awarded the honorary doctorate degree from the University of Benin.
In December 2018, she was awarded the Order of Queen Elizabeth II from the Government of Canada.
In January 2019, she was awarded the honorary Doctorate of Laws from the University of Ghana.
In February 2019, she was awarded the honorary Doctorate of Humanities from the University of Cape Coast.
In May 2019, she was awarded the honorary Doctorate of Laws from Yankari University.
In June 2019, she was awarded the honorary Doctorate of Laws from the University of Nigeria.
In July 2019, she was awarded the honorary Doctorate of Laws from the University of Uyo.
In August 2019, she was awarded the honorary Doctorate of Laws from the University of Ebeye.
In September 2019, she was awarded the honorary Doctorate of Laws from the University of Jos.
In December 2019, she was awarded the honorary Doctorate of Laws from the University of Benin.
In March 2019, she was awarded the Honorary Doctorate of Letters from the University of Cape Coast.
Folorunsho Alakija's net worth is estimated at $5.9 billion, making her the first black female billionaire in the world. She is the richest woman in Africa and the 53rd richest person in the world.
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