Titi Alakija

Titi Alakija
US Mission in Geneva · Public domain · source
Name	Titi Alakija
Birth name	Titilola Olusola Alakija
Birth date	15 October 1970
Birth place	Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria
Nationality	Nigerian
Alma mater	University of Lagos, University of Cambridge
Occupation	Businesswoman, Philanthropist
Spouse	Ade Alakija

Titi Alakija. Titilola "Titi" Olusola Alakija is a prominent Nigerian businesswoman, investor, and philanthropist known for her leadership in the West African fashion industry and her extensive charitable work. A graduate of the University of Lagos and the University of Cambridge, she has built a significant portfolio in real estate, retail, and media. Her philanthropic efforts are primarily channeled through the Titi Alakija Foundation, focusing on women's empowerment, education, and healthcare in Nigeria.

Early Life and Education

Titilola Olusola Alakija was born in Lagos into a family with deep roots in Nigerian commerce and public service. She completed her secondary education at the prestigious Queens College, Lagos, an institution known for producing notable Nigerian women. She then pursued a degree in Business Administration at the University of Lagos, a leading institution in Sub-Saharan Africa. Following her first degree, Alakija furthered her education internationally, earning a Master's degree in Management Studies from the Judge Business School at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom.

Career

Titi Alakija's professional career began in the corporate finance sector in Lagos, where she worked with several multinational corporations. She later transitioned into entrepreneurship, founding Rose of Sharon House of Fashion, a luxury brand that became influential in promoting African textiles and designers on the global stage. Her business acumen led to expansions into property development across Nigeria, with significant projects in Victoria Island and Abuja. She also holds directorships in companies within the Nigerian Stock Exchange and has served on the advisory board of the Fashion Designers Association of Nigeria.

Philanthropy

Philanthropy is a cornerstone of Titi Alakija's public life, primarily executed through the Titi Alakija Foundation, established in 2005. The foundation's initiatives are wide-ranging, with a major focus on providing scholarships and educational infrastructure in underserved communities across states like Ondo State and Rivers State. It partners with organizations such as the United Nations Population Fund and the Nigerian Ministry of Women Affairs on projects aimed at maternal health and vocational training for women. The foundation also runs annual medical outreach programs in collaboration with Lagos University Teaching Hospital to provide free eye care and general surgery.

Personal Life

Titi Alakija is married to industrialist Ade Alakija, a scion of the prominent Alakija family with interests in oil and gas and shipping. They have three children and maintain residences in Ikoyi and Abuja. She is a devoted member of the Redeemed Christian Church of God and is known for her patronage of the arts, frequently supporting exhibitions at the Nike Art Gallery and the National Museum in Onikan. Her social circle includes other notable Nigerian philanthropists like Folorunso Alakija and Tony Elumelu.

Awards and Recognition

For her contributions to business and society, Titi Alakija has received numerous accolades. She was honored with the African Leadership Magazine Award for Philanthropy and the Forbes Africa Philanthropy Award. In 2018, the Federal Government of Nigeria recognized her with a National Honour award, specifically the Member of the Order of the Niger. She has also been listed among the "100 Most Influential African Women" by Avance Media and received a lifetime achievement award from the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Category:Nigerian businesspeople Category:Nigerian philanthropists Category:People from Lagos Category:Alumni of the University of Lagos Category:Alumni of the University of Cambridge