Nigerian billionaire Folorunso Alakija has reportedly lost her sight, according to medical sources involved in her care.
Sources informed SaharaReporters that the 73-year-old founder and Executive Vice Chairman of Famfa Oil began facing health challenges following a near air mishap.
While traveling with her husband, Modupe Alakija, Chairman of Famfa Oil, the incident led to a sudden increase in her blood pressure.
The unsettling incident is believed to have impacted her vision.
After the incident, Alakija reportedly ordered a new jet to prevent flying on the same aircraft as her husband. Despite this, her vision continued to worsen until she eventually lost her sight completely.
“She had a near air mishap with her husband on board and her blood pressure reportedly shot up affecting her eyes,” one of the sources said.
“She has been having eyesight issues but instead of treating the illness, she chose to start a church to help her.
“Now she can’t see.”
Folorunso Alakija, a Nigerian billionaire businesswoman and philanthropist, began a small fellowship in her home around 2004, which later evolved into the Rose of Sharon Glorious Ministry International. She was ordained as an Apostle on her 69th birthday.
She is the founder of Famfa Oil, a Nigerian company that holds a substantial stake in OML 127, a highly lucrative oil block situated in the Agbami deep water oilfield in Nigeria.
As of 2020, Forbes estimated her net worth at $1 billion. In 2015, she was ranked the 87th most powerful woman in the world by Forbes and was one of just two African women on the magazine’s list of the richest people in Africa.
In the 1970s, Alakija studied secretarial studies at Pitman Central College in London. She started her career as an executive secretary at Sijuade Enterprises in Lagos in 1974.
Her wealth is evident not just in her business ventures, but also in her penchant for luxury.
One of the aircraft associated with her is a Bombardier Global Express XRS (model BD-700-1A10) with serial number 9416, which was registered to Wings of Grace Limited on November 25, 2011. The jet carries the tail number VP-CEO.
Flight records indicate that the aircraft departed from Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on February 26, heading to an undisclosed location.
She also owns a Bombardier Global Express 6000 private jet, renowned for its long-range capabilities and luxurious features. The jet can travel up to 6,000 nautical miles and cruises at a speed of Mach 0.89.
The jet’s cabin is designed for optimal comfort, with advanced entertainment systems, fully equipped workspaces, and premium seating. It is registered under the tail number VP-CTO.
Flight records accessed by SaharaReporters show that the jet took off from Lagos at 11:34 WAT on February 24 and arrived in London, UK, at 4:18 GMT on February 25.
Folorunso Alakija is connected to multiple companies, such as Famfa Oil Limited, Rose of Sharon Group, and Dayspring Property Development Company Limited.
