- How I Made My Fortune… It Took Me 25Years To Become Successful
Nigerian billionaire business woman, Folorunsho Alakija has revealed how she made her fortune, stressing that it took her 25 years to become successful.
Alakija, a former mother-in-law of Sophie Alakija, a Nollywood Actress who recently posted stunning pictures that set the internet agog, disclosed that her success was fuelled by her determination to succeed.
She disclosed this during an anointing service held recently at the Rose of Sharon Glorious Ministry International in Surulere, Lagos.
Mrs Alakija who is also a fashion entrepreneur who operates as a big player in the oil, real estate and printing sectors of the nation’s economy. She is the group managing director of The Rose of Sharon Group which consists of The Rose of Sharon Prints & Promotions Limited, Digital Reality Prints Limited and the executive vice-chairman of Famfa Oil Limited.
In an inspiring post recently, Folorunsho Alakija wrote, “I would like to encourage you on my encounter with the Glory of God. It happened almost 27 years ago when I gave my life to Christ at the age of 40 and my life has not been the same ever since. I pray your life too will experience a total turn around.
“I was born almost 67 years ago, into a large and illustrious polygamous Muslim family as number 8 out of 52 children through a father who had 8 wives.
“Back then large families were common, but what was unusual was that I was one of the very first few Nigerian children who left its shores to go and study abroad at such a tender age of 7. Even at that age, I knew I could not afford to let my family down cause I was seen as an ambassador.
“My desire was to study law but my Daddy did not believe in investing in girls at that time. Today, I have no university degree, but God’s glory lifted me up and I have received numerous Honorary Doctorate Degrees at home and abroad.
“All of what you now see today has taken almost two and a half decades, so I am not an overnight success. On the contrary, through God’s grace, I am a blood bought totally forgiven, absolutely redeemed, heaven bound child of God.
“I have had to make sacrifices like everyone else, faced challenges but never given up. I have not compromised myself, my values or my faith. Glory to be God.”
Currently Alakija is ranked by Forbes as the richest woman in Nigeria with an estimated net worth of $1 billion. As of 2015, she is listed as the second most powerful woman in Africa after Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and the 87th most powerful woman in the world by Forbes.