FOLORUNSHO ALAKIJA EXCEEDS OPRAH AS WORLD’S RICHEST BLACK WOMAN

Oprah Winfrey has been surpassed by a Nigerian fashion designer and oil tycoon as the richest black woman in the world.

According to Time, Folorunsho Alakija is worth $3.3 billion, just $300 million more than Oprah. Alakija began her booming career as an executive secretary at Sijuade Enterprises, in Lagos, Nigeria. Soon after, the 63-year-old created her fashion line, Supreme Stitches and dived into the oil and printing worlds. In 1993, Alakija’s company, Famfa Limited applied for an oil and allocating licence looking into grounds to explore for oil on a 617,000-acre block. The block, now called OPL 216, makes up for a good bit of her wealth.

With her lucrative businesses, Alakija has not only passed Oprah as the richest woman in the world, but also beat out her predecessor and Africa’s first woman billionaire, Isabel Dos Santos. Forbes has reported the philanthropist as the 96th most powerful woman in the world. Aside from all of her success, Alakija prides herself with her family and most importantly her faith. While many have looked to her as inspiration for mass wealth, Alakija has continuously spoken out about her religion. In a recent post on herwebsite, Alakija breaks down why her wealth doesn’t define who she is.

“I have been referred to as “One of Forbes’ 100 Most Influential Women in the World,” she said. “But, who do I say I am and who does God say I am? Regarding wealth only God knows that because he is the only one who knows by how much he blesses each of his creations. He decides, he uplifts or lowers for reasons best known to him and in his time. So, who am I to determine my position?”

She’s also spoken out about fighting obstacles during her motivational speeches. In September, the mogul revealed to an audience that she didn’t go to a University after her time in fashion school.

“So I am 63 and I am not yet done,” she said. So what is your excuse? I never went to a University and I am proud to say so because I don’t think I have done too badly,” she said. “You do not have to have a university education to be able to make it so count yourselves privileged to have that education as part of the feather in your cap.”