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

At her last public outing, attending the launch of Ibrahim Babangida’s book A Journey in Service at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja, she walked with support from aides and gave a short goodwill message.

The event, also a fundraiser for the IBB Presidential Library, saw several dignitaries in attendance, including President Bola Tinubu and former Nigerian leaders.

The 73-year-old founder and Executive Vice Chairman of Famfa Oil began experiencing health complications following a near-air mishap while traveling with her husband, Modupe Alakija, Chairman of Famfa Oil.

The incident caused a spike in her blood pressure, which is said to have adversely affected her vision.

After the incident, Alakija is said to have ordered a new jet to prevent sharing flights with her husband.

However, her vision continued to worsen, leading to complete blindness.

“Her blood pressure rose after the near miss, which affected her eyesight. Despite ongoing issues with her vision, she focused on starting a church for help rather than seeking medical treatment, and now she cannot see”, said a source.

Folorunso Alakija, a Nigerian businesswoman and philanthropist, founded Famfa Oil, a company with significant stakes in OML 127, a profitable oil block on Nigeria’s Agbami deepwater oilfield.

She has an estimated net worth of $1 billion, according to Forbes, and was ranked 87th among the most powerful women in the world in 2015.

Alakija began her career as an executive secretary in 1974 and later ventured into fashion.

She founded the Rose of Sharon Glorious Ministry International in the early 2000s, which evolved from a small fellowship. On her 69th birthday, she was ordained as an Apostle.

As for her luxury assets, Alakija owns several private jets, including a Bombardier Global Express XRS registered under VP-CEO, which departed from Lagos on February 26, and a Bombardier Global Express 6000, which flew from Lagos to London on February 24-25.

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Alakija is also involved in several other businesses, including Rose of Sharon Group and Dayspring Property Development Company Limited.

Her rise to wealth is closely linked to her connection with Maryam Babangida, the wife of former military dictator Ibrahim Babangida.

In the 1980s, Alakija ran a successful fashion label, Supreme Stitches, which catered to Nigeria’s elite, including the First Lady. In 1993, her relationship with Maryam Babangida helped her secure an Oil Prospecting Licence (OPL) from the Babangida regime.

The oil block initially considered low value, became highly profitable after a partnership with Texaco, now Chevron, and later transformed into one of Nigeria’s most lucrative oil fields.

In 2008, Alakija successfully fought to retain her 60% stake in the Agbami oil field after a legal battle with the Nigerian government.

Alakija’s connection to the Babangida family remains significant, as she continues to be an influential figure in both business and philanthropy.

In other news, rumours suggest that Alakija and her husband have separated after more than 30 years of marriage, though the couple has not publicly confirmed this.

Reported by Sahara Reporters