Folorunsho Alakija: The Icon Who Refused To Be Conquered - Business (3)

Folorunsho Alakija: The Icon Who Refused To Be Conquered - Business (3) - Nairaland

Nairaland Forum › Nairaland General › Business › Folorunsho Alakija: The Icon Who Refused To Be Conquered (17047 Views)

Re: Folorunsho Alakija: The Icon Who Refused To Be Conquered by seunoyeleyep(f): 7:39pm On Dec 24, 2025

IbileIfe:
Pastor Chris of Love World Ministries calls it the Audacity of Faith.

Yeah. Did Pastor Chris add government influence too?

I commend her spirit notwithstanding.

Re: Folorunsho Alakija: The Icon Who Refused To Be Conquered by donmik: 7:40pm On Dec 24, 2025

You are a mother I love so much.
I pray God blesses you with stronger health than you ever had.
May your sight get a miraculous touch as a Christmas gift in this season in Jesus's name

Re: Folorunsho Alakija: The Icon Who Refused To Be Conquered by Housing(m): 8:03pm On Dec 24, 2025

egunna:
aha, that explains it. I was wondering how from being a tailor, she got a licence to drill oil. That place is not for the downtrodden

Sure, she studies abroad from post primary education.

Re: Folorunsho Alakija: The Icon Who Refused To Be Conquered by bigiyaro(m): 8:07pm On Dec 24, 2025

Story story, babe wey babangida simply dash some oil wells... she is simply lucky to have someone like babangida behind her. She's nothing extraordinary, just an individual feeding fat on the common wealth of the unfortunate people of the Niger delta.

2 Likes

Re: Folorunsho Alakija: The Icon Who Refused To Be Conquered by dannex4adx(m): 8:21pm On Dec 24, 2025

OverCalculating:
Folorunsho Alakija did not study Geology.

She started as a Secretary. Then she became a Fashion Designer.

Yet, she beat the global oil giants at their own game.

Most people think she just "got lucky" with an oil license.

Thanks for this. I really enjoyed it and I learnt from it.
You are one of the few intelligent people in nairaland.
God bless you.

But the truth is, she used a strategy called The "Rejected Stone" Advantage.

Here is what happened:

In the 90s, she applied for an oil license.

The powers that be gave her OPL 216.

They didn't give her this block because they liked her.

They gave it to her because nobody else wanted it.

It was "Deep Offshore" (Deep Water).

At that time, the technology to drill that deep was expensive and risky.

The big companies (Shell, Mobil) wanted the easy, shallow water.

They thought they gave her a "useless" paper.

She saw a "Golden Ticket."

She knew she didn't have the billions to drill.

But she had the Rights.

She approached Texaco (now Chevron).

She told them: "I have the access. You have the technology. Let's work."

She didn't try to dig with her hands. She used her "Paper" as equity to attract a giant.

This is the most important lesson.

When they finally struck oil (the massive Agbami Field), the Government was shocked at the volume.

They got jealous.

The Government tried to use a decree to forcefully take back 50% of her stake.

Most people would have bowed to the Federal Government out of fear.

Alakija sued them.

She fought the Federal Government in court for 12 years.

She refused to settle. She refused to be bullied.

Eventually, the Supreme Court ruled in her favor, restoring her full stake.

Why am I telling you this?

Don't despise the "Hard" road:

Just because an opportunity looks difficult (Deep Water) doesn't mean it's bad.

That is often where the biggest treasure is hidden.

Defend your Value: In business, creating wealth is one thing.

Keeping it is the real war.

You must have the audacity to fight for what is yours, even if you are fighting a Giant.

She went from sewing clothes to owning one of the most prolific oil blocks in Africa.

Not by luck. But by Grit.

Nairalanders! I hope you learnt something today.

Re: Folorunsho Alakija: The Icon Who Refused To Be Conquered by amazonguru001: 8:32pm On Dec 24, 2025

Ewedegubbler:
So after all these she decided to start bleaching and ended up blind.

Who the hell was she bleaching her skin for?

Don't be like that.
Did she beco9mw black because she started bleaching?

Life simply happened to her.
Reason we need to learn to take life easy.

Let's be careful what we say about others.
Our words are seeds.

I pray she continues to be strong and find comfort in Jesus.

I admire her a lot.

1 Like

Re: Folorunsho Alakija: The Icon Who Refused To Be Conquered by Zaphnath1(m): 8:45pm On Dec 24, 2025

Wotowotoman:
Oga stop yearning dust. Go read about Apple and Microsoft. No luck or favor there. These guys created something from scratch. See your mouth like grace

And what have you and your generation started from scratch

I just see pure hate and envy in you

Banana island was once a swampy area given to a man who transformed it into something beautiful

Just keep quiet and move on if you have no love to share

2 Likes

Re: Folorunsho Alakija: The Icon Who Refused To Be Conquered by irumanle(m): 8:59pm On Dec 24, 2025

Omotaday:
Nothing inspiring here.

You should have explained the magic she did as a fashion designer to be in a position to apply and receive an oil license.

Nice question. The normal Nigerian padypady things

Re: Folorunsho Alakija: The Icon Who Refused To Be Conquered by nakoks(m): 9:05pm On Dec 24, 2025

keemsleek:
Correct me, MRS bought over texaco. Texaco was never chevron.

you are corrected .....chevrontexaco

Re: Folorunsho Alakija: The Icon Who Refused To Be Conquered by Josywhyte: 9:11pm On Dec 24, 2025

Alakija, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Dora Akunyili, and many others, are women I respect so much. They've broken barriers in Nigeria and diaspora, making women believe and that they can make impact and show resilience in hardwork.
Kudos!

1 Like 1 Share

Re: Folorunsho Alakija: The Icon Who Refused To Be Conquered by achimendy(m): 9:12pm On Dec 24, 2025

OneCandleAway:
Yes I saw an aide holding her as they walked. The funny think is you hardly see them giving life changing charity to the less fortunate.

Most you see everything they do?

Re: Folorunsho Alakija: The Icon Who Refused To Be Conquered by achimendy(m): 9:16pm On Dec 24, 2025

OverCalculating:
Folorunsho Alakija did not study Geology.

She started as a Secretary. Then she became a Fashion Designer.

Yet, she beat the global oil giants at their own game.

Most people think she just "got lucky" with an oil license.

But the truth is, she used a strategy called The "Rejected Stone" Advantage.

Here is what happened:

In the 90s, she applied for an oil license.

The powers that be gave her OPL 216.

They didn't give her this block because they liked her.

They gave it to her because nobody else wanted it.

It was "Deep Offshore" (Deep Water).

At that time, the technology to drill that deep was expensive and risky.

The big companies (Shell, Mobil) wanted the easy, shallow water.

They thought they gave her a "useless" paper.

She saw a "Golden Ticket."

She knew she didn't have the billions to drill.

But she had the Rights.

She approached Texaco (now Chevron).

She told them: "I have the access. You have the technology. Let's work."

She didn't try to dig with her hands. She used her "Paper" as equity to attract a giant.

This is the most important lesson.

When they finally struck oil (the massive Agbami Field), the Government was shocked at the volume.

They got jealous.

The Government tried to use a decree to forcefully take back 50% of her stake.

Most people would have bowed to the Federal Government out of fear.

Alakija sued them.

She fought the Federal Government in court for 12 years.

She refused to settle. She refused to be bullied.

Eventually, the Supreme Court ruled in her favor, restoring her full stake.

Why am I telling you this?

Don't despise the "Hard" road:

Just because an opportunity looks difficult (Deep Water) doesn't mean it's bad.

That is often where the biggest treasure is hidden.

Defend your Value: In business, creating wealth is one thing.

Keeping it is the real war.

You must have the audacity to fight for what is yours, even if you are fighting a Giant.

She went from sewing clothes to owning one of the most prolific oil blocks in Africa.

Not by luck. But by Grit.

Nairalanders! I hope you learnt something today.

Her story is really inspiring. Very strong and persistent woman. Learnt a lot from her story. Success is not for the fainthearted but for the strong minds which she is.

1 Like

Re: Folorunsho Alakija: The Icon Who Refused To Be Conquered by jaxxy(m): 9:18pm On Dec 24, 2025

Wotowotoman:
Oga stop yearning dust. Go read about Apple and Microsoft. No luck or favor there. These guys created something from scratch. See your mouth like grace

Lol Apple and Microsoft? Bill gates was a privileged kid. His dad was a wealthy and influential lawyer and he went to the best skols but Bill gates wasn't the smartest and best coder, Microsoft was a stroke of luck and timing.

Same goes for Jeff bezos, Mark Zuckerberg and Steve jobs. infact Apple wasn't doing so well at a point and Steve jobs was kicked out of the company he started.

if u don't know about life go and read about how the history of successful people. They will tell u how luck played a part.

If u think u get to where u are by ur power and knowledge alone then u have a long way to go.

2 Likes 2 Shares

Re: Folorunsho Alakija: The Icon Who Refused To Be Conquered by Elobest(m): 9:20pm On Dec 24, 2025

She is a conqueror! May God continue to preserve her,she will love long. Many people that have their eye don't have vision.

1 Like

Re: Folorunsho Alakija: The Icon Who Refused To Be Conquered by Amumaigwe: 9:20pm On Dec 24, 2025

aydought:
God shall keep prospering this woman of valour. Despite her financial strength, she is known for her humility, generosity, submission to her husband, and above all, fear of God.

Submission to her husband you said? A woman that has once made a move to divorce her husband cannot be described as submissive. Stop whitewashing a sepulchre

Re: Folorunsho Alakija: The Icon Who Refused To Be Conquered by achimendy(m): 9:27pm On Dec 24, 2025

irumanle:
Nice question. The normal Nigerian padypady things

Read the story again so you can get it.

It's her willingness and persistence backed by the favour of God that gave her that license. The then maryam babangida wife which she sew clothes for was the one she told to help contact the people incharge of the license stuff, and she agreed. When she went there she was not given the stuff automatically. She tried up to 4 to 5 times before she got it. It took her years before she was finally called one day. She's indeed a strong woman.

1 Like

Re: Folorunsho Alakija: The Icon Who Refused To Be Conquered by Fearyourcreator: 9:28pm On Dec 24, 2025

aydought:
God shall keep prospering this woman of valour. Despite her financial strength, she is known for her humility, generosity, submission to her husband, and above all, fear of God.

Husband she divorced or which one?

Re: Folorunsho Alakija: The Icon Who Refused To Be Conquered by PWANMaxGroup: 9:31pm On Dec 24, 2025

Wotowotoman:
Smart? Courageous? How? 🤔

Person dash you oil bloc, you go call oil company to develop am and offer them percentage if it works. If e no work, all man waka. Please what’s the smartness and courage in this?

Any damn person could do it. The hard part is getting someone to dash you oil bloc because they like you.

Please stop comparing a rent seeker that benefitted from a corrupt military junta to the intelligent entrepreneurs that are intelligent enough to come up with business ideas that end up working. These are the real smart and courageous people

You are really serving me wotowoto tonight grin

You are right with your opinions. They are other intelligent smart entrepreneurs out there,
The reason I called her smart was because she saw an opportunity made didn't. As you said, any damn person could do it, but prior to her obtaining the OPL 216, it was a goddamn license no one wanted to obtain, and still, God's Grace carried her through. The Government came for her and she still held her ground - that's courage in action.

Re: Folorunsho Alakija: The Icon Who Refused To Be Conquered by irumanle(m): 9:31pm On Dec 24, 2025

achimendy:
Read the story again so you can get it.

It's her willingness and persistence backed by the favour of God that gave her that license. The then maryam babangida wife which she sew clothes for was the one she told to help contact the people incharge of the license stuff, and she agreed. When she went there she was not given the stuff automatically. She tried up to 4 to 5 times before she got it. It took her years before she was finally called one day. She's indeed a strong woman.

We are saying the same thing.

1 Like

Re: Folorunsho Alakija: The Icon Who Refused To Be Conquered by keemsleek(m): 9:36pm On Dec 24, 2025

[quote author=nakoks post=137898146]you are corrected .....chevrontexaco[/quot

Thanks for the correction. MRS bought the downstream sector of chevrontexaco in nigeria. Correction taken.

Re: Folorunsho Alakija: The Icon Who Refused To Be Conquered by keemsleek(m): 9:37pm On Dec 24, 2025

nakoks:
you are corrected .....chevrontexaco

Thanks for the correction. MRS bought the downstream sector of chevrontexaco in nigeria. Correction taken.

Re: Folorunsho Alakija: The Icon Who Refused To Be Conquered by Exceed15: 9:52pm On Dec 24, 2025

crusufixo:
I hope her blindness was not man made

Anyone can develop eye problem at any time

Re: Folorunsho Alakija: The Icon Who Refused To Be Conquered by Ebenezer2021(m): 10:29pm On Dec 24, 2025

aydought:
God shall keep prospering this woman of valour. Despite her financial strength, she is known for her humility, generosity, submission to her husband, and above all, fear of God.

submission to her husband ke?
She's divorced since last year

Re: Folorunsho Alakija: The Icon Who Refused To Be Conquered by latiephwald: 10:36pm On Dec 24, 2025

OneCandleAway:
Yes I saw an aide holding her as they walked. The funny think is you hardly see them giving life changing charity to the less fortunate.

Do you know how much they spend on charities? Do you expect them to give to them (less privilege) individually?

Re: Folorunsho Alakija: The Icon Who Refused To Be Conquered by simfrost90210: 10:47pm On Dec 24, 2025

[/quote]Alakija sued them.

Nairalanders! I hope you learnt something today.[/quote] grin

she get luck say na supreme Court of that time because if na now, chai, OYO na her case... They will buy out the judges and turn her case upside down and she'll be left empty!

Re: Folorunsho Alakija: The Icon Who Refused To Be Conquered by simfrost90210: 10:50pm On Dec 24, 2025

OverCalculating:
Alakija sued them.

she get luck say na supreme court of that time because if na now, chai, OYO na her case... They will buy out the judges and turn her case upside down and she'll be left empty!

Re: Folorunsho Alakija: The Icon Who Refused To Be Conquered by Eriokanmi: 11:08pm On Dec 24, 2025

NaijaNaWaa:
Supreme Stitches... na Maryam Babangida tailor she be oo

Don't mind these storytellers jare. It was IBB that helped her through Maryam Banangida. That woman was a great influencer and a generous lady. You cant come her way and remain the same. Same woman met Mike adenuga a taxi driver in the US and introduced him to her husband and the rest is history today.

How a tailor had the knowledge of an oil licence without any connection is a tale from.tje moonlight. So many praise singers in Nigeria today is a proof we play a lot. We're never serious

Re: Folorunsho Alakija: The Icon Who Refused To Be Conquered by CaptainFM1: 11:16pm On Dec 24, 2025

OverCalculating:
Folorunsho Alakija did not study Geology.

She started as a Secretary. Then she became a Fashion Designer.

Yet, she beat the global oil giants at their own game.

Most people think she just "got lucky" with an oil license.

But the truth is, she used a strategy called The "Rejected Stone" Advantage.

Here is what happened:

In the 90s, she applied for an oil license.

The powers that be gave her OPL 216.

They didn't give her this block because they liked her.

They gave it to her because nobody else wanted it.

It was "Deep Offshore" (Deep Water).

At that time, the technology to drill that deep was expensive and risky.

The big companies (Shell, Mobil) wanted the easy, shallow water.

They thought they gave her a "useless" paper.

She saw a "Golden Ticket."

She knew she didn't have the billions to drill.

But she had the Rights.

She approached Texaco (now Chevron).

She told them: "I have the access. You have the technology. Let's work."

She didn't try to dig with her hands. She used her "Paper" as equity to attract a giant.

This is the most important lesson.

When they finally struck oil (the massive Agbami Field), the Government was shocked at the volume.

They got jealous.

The Government tried to use a decree to forcefully take back 50% of her stake.

Most people would have bowed to the Federal Government out of fear.

Alakija sued them.

She fought the Federal Government in court for 12 years.

She refused to settle. She refused to be bullied.

Eventually, the Supreme Court ruled in her favor, restoring her full stake.

Why am I telling you this?

Don't despise the "Hard" road:

Just because an opportunity looks difficult (Deep Water) doesn't mean it's bad.

That is often where the biggest treasure is hidden.

Defend your Value: In business, creating wealth is one thing.

Keeping it is the real war.

You must have the audacity to fight for what is yours, even if you are fighting a Giant.

She went from sewing clothes to owning one of the most prolific oil blocks in Africa.

Not by luck. But by Grit.

Nairalanders! I hope you learnt something today.

And you know all these about her because she told you right? Or you're just publishing heresays?

Re: Folorunsho Alakija: The Icon Who Refused To Be Conquered by AlphaTaikun: 11:59pm On Dec 24, 2025

OverCalculating:
Folorunsho Alakija did not study Geology.

She started as a Secretary. Then she became a Fashion Designer.

Yet, she beat the global oil giants at their own game.

Most people think she just "got lucky" with an oil license.

But the truth is, she used a strategy called The "Rejected Stone" Advantage.

Here is what happened:

In the 90s, she applied for an oil license.

The powers that be gave her OPL 216.

They didn't give her this block because they liked her.

They gave it to her because nobody else wanted it.

It was "Deep Offshore" (Deep Water).

At that time, the technology to drill that deep was expensive and risky.

The big companies (Shell, Mobil) wanted the easy, shallow water.

They thought they gave her a "useless" paper.

She saw a "Golden Ticket."

She knew she didn't have the billions to drill.

But she had the Rights.

She approached Texaco (now Chevron).

She told them: "I have the access. You have the technology. Let's work."

She didn't try to dig with her hands. She used her "Paper" as equity to attract a giant.

This is the most important lesson.

When they finally struck oil (the massive Agbami Field), the Government was shocked at the volume.

They got jealous.

The Government tried to use a decree to forcefully take back 50% of her stake.

Most people would have bowed to the Federal Government out of fear.

Alakija sued them.

She fought the Federal Government in court for 12 years.

She refused to settle. She refused to be bullied.

Eventually, the Supreme Court ruled in her favor, restoring her full stake.

Why am I telling you this?

Don't despise the "Hard" road:

Just because an opportunity looks difficult (Deep Water) doesn't mean it's bad.

That is often where the biggest treasure is hidden.

Defend your Value: In business, creating wealth is one thing.

Keeping it is the real war.

You must have the audacity to fight for what is yours, even if you are fighting a Giant.

She went from sewing clothes to owning one of the most prolific oil blocks in Africa.

Not by luck. But by Grit.

Nairalanders! I hope you learnt something today.

"Agbami" roughly means the DEEPEST part of an ocean in Yoruba language Indeed ONLY the 2-dimensional seismic technology was widely available when she and FAMFA Oil got the deep offshore rights back in the early 1990s.

BUT with the introduction of 3-D seismic technology back in the late 1990s, things to a turn for the BEST in oil and gas exploration.

Re: Folorunsho Alakija: The Icon Who Refused To Be Conquered by Emmanuel900(m): 12:02am On Dec 25, 2025

DeepSight:
+
Nothing special, she used to be tailor to Maryam Babangida and that's how it started.

You think it's easy to became tailor to Maryam babangida ? That means she was good in her craft

Re: Folorunsho Alakija: The Icon Who Refused To Be Conquered by AlphaTaikun: 12:26am On Dec 25, 2025*

Eriokanmi:
Don't mind these storytellers jare. It was IBB that helped her through Maryam Banangida. That woman was a great influencer and a generous lady. You cant come her way and remain the same. Same woman met Mike adenuga a taxi driver in the US and introduced him to her husband and the rest is history today.

How a tailor had the knowledge of an oil licence without any connection is a tale from.tje moonlight. So many praise singers in Nigeria today is a proof we play a lot. We're never serious

@Eriokanmi

Be guided with your twisted story line! Say ONLY what you know and don't defame others.

I can detect a strong attempt by YOU to denigrate and minimize the achievements and business-savviness of Dr. Micheal Adenuga and Mrs. Folorunso Alakija whose husband Modupe Alakija is a legal practitioner.

Second, Mrs. Alakija was a banker back in the early 1980s with the defunct IMB located at IMB Plaza which looked like a pyramid close to the former Bar Beach on Victoria Island. She was the secretary there before eventually resigning to take care of her young sons being newly married and she used that period to set up the famous "Supreme Stitches" on Allen Avenue in the 1980s to make bespoke wears. She was very popular and that's how many prominent clients came to her for the latest bespoke designs. I'm a witness to these events that took place in the 1980s. Mrs Alakija was from the very wealthy Ogbara family of Ikorodu. This is the reason why before the age of 10, her father (Chief Ogbara from Ikorodu, Lagos) had shipped the young Folorunso Alakija and her sister to school in the United Kingdom (Wales). She wasn't from a poor family just so you know.

Third, Mike Adenuga's mother is the relative to the penultimate Awujale of Ijebuland Oba Sikiru Adetona. Mike Adenuga only drove the taxi (like many other Nigerian students in the United States did in the 1970s and 1980s while schooling in the University) to further augment his expenses. Adenuga's family also sent him funds for schooling from Nigeria so they weren't poor people.

Otunba Mike Adenuga's Consolidated Oil (Conoil) was the FIRST EVER Nigerian oil and gas company to strike crude oil back in the 1990s due to his sagacity and it had NOTHING to do with being favored because Deep Offshore oil exploration in the 1990s was very very risky. Conoil has NOTHING to do with IBB being the owner like these highly misinformed boys push around. That's the pure lies semi-literates and ethnic bigots have been spreading as beer parlor stories for some years now. Arthur Eze ALSO got his licence around the time Mike Adenuga and Mrs. Folorunso Alakija got theirs and NOBODY insults Arthur Eze. The highly IRRESPONSIBLE attacks on Mrs. Folorunso Alakija and Mike Adenuga (by those who don't know about the oil and gas industry operations of the 1990s like me and some other folks) will NOT be tolerated.

Last but NOT least, Mrs. Alakija WASN'T the only one involved at the time of the bid for the deep offshore licenses in 1993, she brought her biological brothers and sisters from the Ogbara family of Ikorodu, Lagos, who are sound professionals to be with her as advisors and her lawyer husband Modupe Alakija from the famous Alakija family also came on board so she wasn't a random tailor like you people are claiming. She studied to be a secretary in the United Kingdom and on returning to Nigeria worked with some companies before joining IMB to work in the banking sector. Then she resigned to set up the very famous "Supreme Stitches" in Lagos to make bespoke wears. She did NOT sleep her way around with IBB or Abacha like some of these creeps have been peddling around.

You folks should let this strong, business-savvy woman be and STOP defaming her!

3 Likes 1 Share

Re: Folorunsho Alakija: The Icon Who Refused To Be Conquered by sinola(m): 12:37am On Dec 25, 2025

heavenhills:
I heard that she is blind now. Her last public outing was IBB's book launch. She couldn't even go out for public presentation during the event. She is obviously a very strong woman. Daughter of Ogbara in Ikorodu.

she is visibly impaired

1 Like

1 2 3 4 Reply

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