73-year-old Folorunso Alakija’s marriage to Modupe Alakija is allegedly undergoing hiccups in 2024 after it was contracted in November 1976.
The Nigerian billionaire, whose financial worth, is estimated at over $1 billion, is, allegedly, not enjoying the best time in her 48 year old marriage.
Multiple reports claimed that the couple were having frequent squabbles which allegedly necessitated the much publicised separation that has seen 75-year-old Modupe moving out of their $700m palatial home.
Meet Modupe Alakija
Modupe Alakija is the 75-year-old husband of Folorunso Alakija. He sits as the chairman of Famfa Oil.
Modupe is a trained lawyer and a descendant of the Abeokuta aristocratic businessman, and politician Sir. Adeyemo Alakija, Q.C, the founder of the highly read and iconic Daily Times newspaper.
According to Folorunso, in a 2016 interview with The Punch, Modupe is extremely shy and doesn’t like publicity.
However, tongues have been wagging over Alakija’s personality alleging that he is bad-tempered.
In 2021, Modupe was suspended by one of the high class private member family clubs, Ikoyi Club, for getting physically violent with another prominent member of the club. The social club suspended Modupe for one year. He was said to have initiated a legal case against the man, he allegedly exchanged fisticuffs with at the club.
In another report, Modupe and Folorunso’s frequent squabbles allegedly necessitated the alleged separation of their union with the trained lawyer leaving their home in highbrow Ikoyi, Lagos.
An unconfirmed source squealed that following his exit from the family home, Modupe moved into a new home in Ikoyi and not too far away from Folorunso Alakija’s $700 million mansion.
The Alakija’s marriage
The Alakija’s marriage has not been devoid of issues like every other marriages but, according to Folorunso, in a 2016 interview, some set values created by Modupe and herself have been the guide to sustaining their marriage for over 45 years.
“You are bound to quarrel because you are two human beings. If anyone tells you they have a perfect marriage, it is a lie. Yes, they may be compatible and be having a good time but that does not mean it is perfect. It doesn’t exist. Make sure that you set up the values that you will use to run your home and bring up your children. I greet my husband good morning with a kiss. There are different ways of showing submission. It is not that we are asking you to put your head on the floor so that he can trample on it. No! We are saying show your husband respect. It is the will of God,” she said.
Folorunso, who is dubbed an apostle after the emergence of Rose of Sharon Ministry International, has been a marriage counsellor amongst several other roles. In fact, she noted that God has used her to redeem failing marriages under the University of marriage, an arm of her ministry.
The billionaire said, “We have been achieving our vision and mission by taking the gospel to different parts of the world just like Jesus did. God has helped us to uphold and restore marriages through the University of Marriage programmes, one of which is a new collaboration with Purple Curtain.”
The marriage between Modupe and Folorunso Alakija produced four sons namely, Ladi, Folarin, Rotimi and Dele. The sons are married and living their life as adults in their respective homes scattered across highbrow Ikoyi and Victoria Island.
Ladi Alakija, a director at Famfa Oil, is married to Olayemi Cardoso. Folarin, an investor, entrepreneur, cinematographer and a director at Famfa Oil, is married to Iranian beautyNazanin Jafarian Ghaissarifar. Rotimi is the Chief Executive Officer of Famfa Oil and is married to Kike Fajemirokun. And Dele, the last son of the family, got married in 2023.
Alakija’s alleged health challenge
In a report by The Will, the billionaire septuagenarian is allegedly battling some health challenges particularly with her eyes.
The health challenge, according to the report, has been shielded away by family and close associates of the dynasty. It was even reported that friends and domestic staff try as much as they could to put a lid on the health challenge and alleged hiccup in the couple’s marriage.
It was further reported that Folorunso’s health challenge became more pronounced when her last son, Dele, tied the knot in 2023. And very unlike the Alakijas, who spent an estimated £5 million on Folarin’s fairytale wedding in the United Kingdom.
The close-knit wedding ceremony saw the media being tactically controlled, photographers not allowed to take pictures arbitrarily and anyone found doing so was asked to delete them. The planning of the wedding was on a need-to-know basis and guests who got the invitations were well scrutinised.
On her ministry, which recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, Alakija said it began as a fellowship in their home as members of the Cathedral Church of Christ.
“Alakija Home Fellowship transformed into Rose of Sharon Ministry International started as an initiative of the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, in Lagos in 2004. It was established to foster closer relationships between members in the same locality and four people started with us on day one.
“The home fellowship grew to more than 30 members and this led to a more conducive and convenient space. The service model has also evolved from an orthodox to a more pentecostal congregation. We first moved to a rented hall on festival road in Victoria Island where our members tripled. The Lord then directed us to Surulere and we eventually moved to where we are today.”