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Billionaire Businesswoman Folorunso Alakija Reportedly Loses Sight After Well being Scare
Nigerian billionaire businesswoman and philanthropist, Folorunso Alakija, has reportedly misplaced her sight fully following a collection of well being problems, sources near her medical workforce have revealed.
Alakija, 73, who serves because the Government Vice Chairman of Famfa Oil, is alleged to have developed imaginative and prescient issues after experiencing a close to air mishap whereas touring together with her husband, Modupe Alakija, the Chairman of Famfa Oil. The distressing incident allegedly triggered a pointy rise in her blood stress, finally affecting her eyesight.
Well being Struggles and Life-style Changes
Following the scare, Alakija reportedly acquired a brand new non-public jet to keep away from touring on the identical flight as her husband. Nonetheless, regardless of this adjustment, her eyesight continued to deteriorate, main to finish blindness.
“She had a close to air mishap together with her husband on board, and her blood stress shot up, affecting her eyes,” a supply disclosed. “She had been battling eyesight points however, as an alternative of in search of medical remedy, she centered on constructing her church.”
A Journey from Trend to Oil Wealth
Alakija, as soon as a outstanding dressmaker catering to Nigeria’s elite, transitioned into the oil business by Famfa Oil, which holds a big stake in OML 127, one in all Nigeria’s most profitable oil blocks within the Agbami deepwater oilfield.
Her fortune skyrocketed after securing an oil prospecting license in 1993 below the administration of former army ruler Basic Ibrahim Babangida. The oil block, initially seen as high-risk, proved to include huge crude reserves after exploration by Chevron (previously Texaco).
Alakija’s shut ties with Maryam Babangida, the late spouse of the previous head of state, performed a pivotal position in her success. In 2000, the Nigerian authorities tried to reclaim her oil block, however she fought a prolonged authorized battle, finally retaining her 60% stake by a Supreme Court docket ruling in 2008.
Connection to Babangida and Current Public Look
Regardless of her well being struggles, Alakija just lately attended the launch of IBB’s autobiography, A Journey in Service on February 20, 2025, at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja. The occasion, which doubled as a fundraiser for the IBB Presidential Library, noticed donations from notable figures, together with Aliko Dangote (₦8 billion) and Abdulsamad Rabiu (₦5 billion).
The event attracted dignitaries similar to President Bola Tinubu, former leaders Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan, Yakubu Gowon, and Abdulsalami Abubakar, alongside enterprise moguls and former vice presidents Atiku Abubakar, Namadi Sambo, and Yemi Osinbajo.
Hypothesis Over Marital Separation
Reviews additionally counsel that Alakija and her husband, Modupe Alakija, might have separated after over 30 years of marriage. Whereas hypothesis about their strained relationship surfaced in March 2024, the couple has but to problem any official affirmation.
Luxurious and Legacy
Alakija, who was as soon as ranked amongst Africa’s richest girls, is thought for her style in luxurious. Her non-public plane assortment reportedly consists of:
Bombardier International Categorical XRS (tail quantity VP-CEO)
Bombardier International Categorical 6000 (tail quantity VP-CTO)
Current flight data point out that one in all her jets departed Murtala Muhammed Worldwide Airport, Lagos, on February 26, whereas one other landed in London on February 25.
A Lasting Affect
Regardless of her well being challenges, Folorunso Alakija stays a formidable determine in enterprise, philanthropy, and spiritual circles. Her church, Rose of Sharon Superb Ministry Worldwide, continues to develop, reflecting her deep dedication to religion at the same time as she navigates private struggles.
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