Forbes Africa Ep6: Folorunsho Alakija opens up on being a secretary to world's richest black women

From starting her career as a company secretary to launching one of the most prominent fashion labels, building the largest printing company in Nigeria and finally making a mark as the only prominent female in the competitive and patriarchal oil industry. This episode of My Worst Day with Peace Hyde features Folorunsho Alakija, Executive vice Chairperson of Famfa Oil with an estimated net worth of $1.82 billion dollars.

[@ogbeidekelvin2613]

All I can say about this amazing woman is her determination & humility.

[@zeea6507]

Such an awesome role model. She knows what she wants and does not back down from challenges. Awesome focus. Great interviewer.

[@adedejidamilare1850]

This woman is highly determined and strong. I wish more women are like her. I love her style of sharing her story

[@JoshDHD]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/qX-kY5Wshc53ias

[@David4u2020]

powerful lady!!! u can feel the strong spirit in her. she deserves respect, fightin with the government for 12years

[@imanamusic2011]

This is one of the most amazing interviews I have ever watched. I learned so much. Mrs. Alakija is an inspiration.

[@JoshDHD]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/qX-kY5Wshc53ias

[@FHIPrincePeter]

This is what I love about African women. Western women feminists go on and on about inequality of income or opportunity while African woman just get on with it and do themselves.

[@Jetsetjessica]

So inspired . Love her spirit. I look up to her in soo many ways. I am an African American woman loving her Regal energy.

[@JoshDHD]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/qX-kY5Wshc53ias

[@florencenkieruc585]

GIVING UP IS NOT AN OPTION!!!!! NEVER, NEVER, NEVER GIVE UP!... NEVER TRUST MAN BUT GOD THE ALMIGHTY!

[@davidr8415]

Your horse hair is killing me

[@jolly-ogomaihekwoaba8159]

I was in Nigeria in 1995. I visited her shop in Lagos, just browsing to see what Nigerian market, doing market survey for the US Navy. I came back with her business card. Ran into her recently at a store, she did not recognize me. She must be brave to have won her battles. Mine is still on my knees. Swizzerland or Geneva, I must collect!!!!!

[@dmonarch3758]

It's gonna be okay mam

[@oriepeace8461]

Beautiful, inspiring, a lot of people both male and female have had this same opportunity or even better but have failed to utilize it. God bless you Ma, I will one day meet you to discuss, I know

[@gbengaezra7626]

great interview, awesome woman of God, more grace to ur elbow to achieve more and give more. keep soaring

[@angelaebirim2705]

awesome interview! very inspiring person

[@oladayoadebiyi7224]

Politicians are not just the people in public office. Madam Alakija had pals in the military regime. That’s politics. She is part of the ruling class that shared our common wealth amongst themselves. Developed countries don’t give oil wells to individuals, natural resources belong to the state, the people.

[@elainefox2978]

happy for her . good to see young women get ahead

[@onyechuks]

Such an inspiration.

[@jessicakffor9925]

I love this woman!!!

[@cleo-patra]

Madame Alakija, you left out the part where you were given an oil block from Babangida due to you being his wife's secretary. All the same, congrats on your wealth. Next time, hope you will paint a clearer picture to the youth that sometimes, success is a combination of hard work and connections/luck, and you give back to the community of where the oil block is located.

[@cleo-patra]

@T C Then Nigeria should provide equal opportunities for its citizens and not a select few. Doing so will create a level playing field for both the hardworking and "lazy" ones. No where in the developing countries will you hear that a national treasure was given to someone as a gift.

[@lorrainebeauty]

Cleo Patra why should the lazy one be rewarded? Giving to the lazy ones is not even biblical

[@lkez2]

@@lorrainebeauty I don't think that's what Cleo Patra said. She's saying things should be given out on merit not nepotism.

[@edidiongmbim564]

Cleo is right. If you live in that country, then you will understand. These are people who can talk about God from Genesis to Revelation, but their heart is evil, and very far from Him. If she is real, why are we the must corrupt country in the whole world? After, success in business, let me still open a church to reap tithe & offering from the poor, threw very extravagant wedding for son in the UK etc. Such stories don't interest me. I worked in corporate american company in Nigeria, listen, before women get to the top in business, corporate jobs, banking, nollywood etc, majority, sleep their way to the top, married or single, Nigerian men & women don't bloody care. It's a very sad and sick society to belong. Listen, to Melinda Gates (Bill Gate's wife) interviews and do the comparison. Different ball game entirely!

[@BenitaOFlade]

Cleopatra, did you really listen to her? She did not need to go into so much details for one to get her story. Your statement shows a hint of jealousy and biased mindset that it was luck or the connecting personality. She has worked for her wealth and paid her dues. Besides, the connection wasn't going to drop from the sky, was it? She saw an opportunity another person wouldn't have dared to take and she paid the price with the help of God and a very supportive family. She wisely didn't mention names ,which is what a fool would have done on air.

[@gpsglobal3024]

Beautiful one. I am coming to join you in the league. I love you Ma.

[@fullove5233]

she so amazing and strong...just found out bout her...

[@Ohmaryy]

Just phenomenal ❤

[@jolly-ogomaihekwoaba8159]

I had a similar story back in 1996, while I worked with Navy Exchange Gas Station in the Military Base, negotiating contracts for US Government to buy petroleum products from Nigerian Government. You were lucky, you had your husband by your side fighting for you. I had a husband and his friends fighting against me until I lost my 2% profit earning on what I worked so hard for. For eight years, 1995-2003, I was working so hard and my hard earnings was transferred to a foreign country. My husband, now an ex-husband of course, joined hands with his friends and embezzled my money until the US Navy interrupted, finding out that the lady that worked so hard is still suffering, everyone around her ex-husband was enjoying her money.

[@herodotus3876]

Sorry to ask, what kept you going?

[@PatriciaAbijah]

So sorry

[@mohammedrashid2906]

Thank

[@sabawexglobalresources7992]

Be strong for better days lies ahead

[@victoradedamola4797]

Mama d Mama, Well done!

[@HonorineS]

She found out who her true friends were. Congratulations on your tenacity and success. Wonderful interview.

[@WinnieAmos05]

Inspirational interview!! 12 yrs holy fuck Nigeria is rotten... LOL What a resilient woman!

[@sandramarufu163]

powerful woman

[@munaman5730]

Very annoying music prevented me from completing the episode

[@ogechiogbonna6794]

Wow so inspiring

[@Teleysebastian]

So inspiring. Taking this phenomenal woman's advice to put God first and have Him order my steps into my destined path.

[@RadBunny2269]

Inspiring. Love her focus. A great example for young girls aspiring to big things.

[@kwarummond77]

well done madam one day I will be like you.im trying and trying.God bless you

[@Adejumo_Softlander]

God bless the work of your hands!

[@theresaibhalukholouduehi8406]

Best interview I have ever watched!!!

[@lbntv5319]

I love you Ma!

[@gari929]

Wau,am inspired. Great Woman. Great Spirit.

[@arturboras6615]

impressive women

[@AndieAllDay]

Why is the show called On My Worst Day? Yikes! Don't like it... But I appreciate the people you interview..

[@ajidemichael5784]

True definition of success

[@helenanepembe4369]

Yaaaaas🙌

[@beatriceowusuachaw6210]

God bless you all

[@staceyadams2272]

Such a beautiful, POWERFUL story to share. I am very honored to hear about such a beautiful woman. To hear her story and travels and how God has used you...raising you up. You are beautiful in Spirit and Faith. I loved hearing your Path and how God has used you. I have those same closed doors. Great inspiration for my Life, from the USA.

[@suadey]

She surely had something to leverage on.

[@staceyadams2272]

SEE, how God won that Battle, Toushay!

[@ndukwuchinonso7205]

Kudos

[@funsahara]

she's worth 7 billion dollars now

[@ajendo]

story time...

[@mashuptiktok6858]

I think the gov did that becos she is a woman It is quite unfair, when women in business are treated unkindly and evilly It was good she took it to Court Is too bad

[@mohammedrashid2906]

Nice

[@exray8768]

ma,my video is under my content

[@saluhumusaisa4659]

Asslkm,Allahu Akbar thank goodness.

[@michaelnwobu5879]

This is an insult to my intelligence as a business owner...we know our country Nigeria and how people holding this OML licences got them...this is a gross mis-interpretation of history re written by her to suit her own success story...its very sad we have no real mentors in this country everybody who has a name on here got stinking rich from a crooked government.

[@walatabig]

Michael Nwobu have U tried to make moves in NNPC or govt and persevered for 5 to 10 years, hustling everyday and crying to your God to give you favour everyday and you still did not make it? I have a feeling if you try this you would hammer too

[@florence-sola2883]

Michael Nwobu I think you got it wrong. Pls listen to her interview, especially when she said she met with a woman on her trip abroad. There are people called destiny helpers!!!

[@roladun]

Just watching this very interesting program and I can't help to say you are totally wrong on your submission... check out her story very carefully, she stumble on becoming oil magnate not by her own design; as she mentioned having the license in 1993, I looked back on the government of that period and it was Buhari/Idiagbon regime, a very strict military era and that tells you that it wasn't an easy huddle she overcame to get that license... Now coming down to the government that wanted to take it all from them, and that happened to be PDP/OBJ era if I am not mistaken given the timeline, and I guess we all can see the impact of OBJ/PDP era in our economy today. So in all sincerity, check out her story again, pick some points and you will realize that though she might have been advantageous in knowing some people and the door to knock, but it was not that straight road to paradise.

[@roladun]

Retracting my timeline on Buhari/Idiagbon era, it was actually during the military era of Babangida that she started her Oil bidding and later got it while Babangida was about leaving power... I guess anyone dinning with maradona deserved a second, however this is a business built by an individual in Nigeria and she and her family deserve a big accolade for doing so.

[@peterchen5932]

steal... steal.... and more stealing... that's the secret... steal... steal.... and more stealing... that's the secret...

[@oladayoadebiyi7224]

RobertsDigital Politicians are not just the people in public office. Madam Alakija had pals in the military regime. That’s politics. She is part of the ruling class that shared our common wealth amongst themselves. Developed countries don’t give oil wells to individuals, natural resources belong to the state, the people.

[@gpsglobal3024]

Beautiful one. I am coming to join you in the league. I love you Ma.