Nigerian billionaire businesswoman, Folorunso Alakija, has reportedly lost her eyesight following health complications linked to a near-air mishap.
Sources told SaharaReporters that the 73-year-old founder and Executive Vice Chairman of Famfa Oil was travelling with her husband, Modupe Alakija, Chairman of Famfa Oil, when their plane experienced some frightening moments which reportedly caused a spike in her blood pressure.
She was believed to have been managing a vision-related challenge in the last couple of years.
The incident on the flight was believed to have compounded the problem.
Following the distressing experience, Alakija reportedly ordered a new jet to avoid flying with her husband. However, her condition continued to deteriorate until she ultimately lost her sight.
“She had a near air mishap with her husband on board, and her blood pressure reportedly shot up, affecting her eyes,” a source revealed.
“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,” the source said.
Alakija, known for her business empire and philanthropy, founded the Rose of Sharon Glorious Ministry International after starting a small fellowship in her home around 2004. She was ordained as an Apostle on her 69th birthday.
As the founder of Famfa Oil, she holds a significant stake in OML 127, a highly lucrative oil block in Nigeria’s Agbami deepwater oilfield.
According to Forbes, Alakija’s net worth was estimated at $1 billion as of 2020. She was ranked 87th on Forbes’ 2015 list of the world’s most powerful women and was one of only two African women on Forbes’ list of the richest people in Africa.
