Nigerian Billionaire Folorunso Alakija Reportedly Loses Sight

Nigerian billionaire Folorunso Alakija has reportedly lost her sight, according to medical sources involved in her care.

Sources told SaharaReporters that the 73-year-old founder and Executive Vice Chairman of Famfa Oil began experiencing health issues after a near air mishap. She was traveling with her husband, Modupe Alakija, Chairman of Famfa Oil, when the incident triggered a spike in her blood pressure, which is believed to have affected her vision.

Following the incident, Alakija reportedly ordered a new jet to avoid traveling on the same flight as her husband. However, her vision continued to deteriorate until she ultimately 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,” a source 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.”

Alakija, a businesswoman and philanthropist, started hosting a small fellowship in her home around 2004, which later grew into the Rose of Sharon Glorious Ministry International. On her 69th birthday, she was ordained as an Apostle.

As the founder of Famfa Oil, Alakija holds a significant stake in OML 127, a highly profitable oil block in Nigeria’s Agbami deep-water oilfield.

According to Forbes, her net worth was estimated at $1 billion as of 2020. In 2015, she was ranked 87th on Forbes’ list of the world’s most powerful women and was one of only two African women featured among Africa’s richest individuals.