About Apostle Folorunso Alakija
Apostle Folorunso Alakija is a businesswoman who has forayed into uncharted territories. She is a philanthropist with a sincere desire to help the needy, a fashion icon with an infallible sense of style, a loving wife, a caring mother, a doting grandmother and a minister of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Educated in Europe, she first embarked on a career in office administration, then she went into banking where she remained until she followed her heart and creative calling to establish her own business in the Nigerian fashion industry.
She is the Vice Chairman of FAMFA Oil Limited, her family's oil exploration and production business, seeing to its strategic planning and day to day administration. In addition to this, she is the Vice Chairman of Dayspring Property Development Company Limited, a real estate company with investments in different parts of the world and Vice Chairman of Digital Reality Print Limited which specialises in highly technical digital large format printing.
With a sincere desire to give to those in need, her philanthropic endeavours, such as the “Rose of Sharon Foundation”, continues to influence her native land positively by empowering widows, their families, as well as orphans, to be successful through educational programmes and scholarships to university level. The Programme which started with 3 widows in 2008 in South-West Nigeria has now spread throughout Nigeria. In addition to the Foundation, she also does personal philanthropic works to the less priviledged.
In her to bid empower women from all walks of life, she founded “Flourish Africa”, a platform conceived to create a community of like-minded women, who share their individual experiences, encourage one another to achieve their potentials and provide grants to female entrepreneurs to succeed.
She was ordained as an Apostle on 15th July 2020 and she oversees the Rose of Sharon Glorious Ministry International, a non-denominational ministry with the vision to restore the glory of the Lord’s people, release those in bondage, heal the sick and the broken-hearted and uphold marriages towards effective nation building.
She is the first female to be appointed as Chancellor of a public university in Africa. She has served her country Nigeria, as a member of several committees. She represents her company as a member of CaCovid, a private sector initiative formed to support the Nigerian Government’s efforts to combat the COVID-19 crisis in Nigeria.
She also serves on the board of international organisations and institutions as:
- Chief Executive Matron - “African Young Entrepreneurs” (AYE)
- Ambassador- “Junior Chambers International” (JCI)
- Member- Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council Advisory Board
- Member - Harvard University, Center of African Studies Advisory Board
- and Member - Harvard University Global Advisory Council.
She is acclaimed nationally and internationally, in recognition of all her philanthropic work and endeavours. She is a prolific writer and has authored 17 inspirational books, including her autobiographies.
Videos
During an exhilarating appearance on CNN's "One World" with Zain Asher, Apostle Folorunso passionately discusses crucial socio-economic issues facing Nigeria. From the daunting hurdles confronting SMEs to the imperative path of securing its economy through sustainable practices in environmentally friendly sectors.
Speaking at the University of Marriage retreat, organized by the Rose of Sharon Glorious Ministry International on April 8, 2023. In line with the theme "Next of Kin," Apostle Folorunso Alakija passionately delved into the profound Biblical perspectives of Marriage, shedding light on the divine recognition of couples as an inseparable unit in the eyes of God.
In a powerful and enlightening radio appearance on the program "Talk to me" with Adedoja Allen of City 105 FM, Apostle Alakija unravels the intricate tapestry of marriages. With profound wisdom, she delves fearlessly into the complexities that challenge couples and unveils the sacred secrets behind cultivating a godly and truly successful marriage.