Tinubu’s Daughter Folashade: Things You Should Know

Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, daughter of Nigeria’s president elect, Bola Tinubu is following the footsteps of her father in reaching milestones and dealing with controversy.  

The Nigerian businesswoman who was born in 1976, to the prominent political family in Lagos State attended Middlesex University in London where she bagged B.Sc, and also the Intercontinental University for her MBA.

Folashade Chieftaincy Titles

The first born of the president-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu who has been a source of inspiration to many women was coronated as the Iyaloja-General of Lagos state in October 2013. The role which is the highest-ranking market leader in the state is established to oversee the activities of all market men and women in Lagos State.

Folashade was formerly the President General of the Association of Commodity Market Women and Men of Nigeria until the demise of her paternal grand-mother Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji who reportedly choosed her as her successor before she passed on.

Aside from that, she had been honoured with several chieftaincy titles across different states in Yorubaland. She was conferred as Iya Oba of Aworiland on March 5, 2021, Yeye Oba of Ogudu by Oba Waheed Ayinla Fashola, the ologudu of Ogudu. She was also conferred with a title by the Timi of Ede on April 10, 2018.

After her appointment as the Iyaloja of Lagos State, she unveiled several projects for the betterment of Lagos markets. She inaugurated ‘Olopa Oja’ to ensure adequate security across all markets in Lagos State. She also employed able men and women to protect lives and properties of the market men and women while ensuring to help the needy and the destitute.

Folashade in the face of controversy

In July 2013, before her coronation, news broke that the daughter of the then former governor of Lagos State was to be coronated as the new Iyaloja of Lagos State. The news caused an uproar and media storm as a lot of people felt she was too young and inexperienced. 

Others saw it as an avenue for Bola Tinubu to acquire Lagos State for himself and his family. However, the market leader said her coronation was not politically influenced while the secretary general of Lagos Mainland markets agreed that her ascension aligns with the market association statutes. She further said she met the requirement needed to be an Iyaloja which led to her coronation in October that year.

Also, in November 2021, the Oyingbo market was shut down for two weeks. This led to a protest by the market men and women as they saw the President’s acts as being unfair as most of their goods were spoiled due to the effect. They also said she requested for a whooping five million naira before the market can be reopened.

Folahade refuted the claim, saying the market was closed down because of its environmental situation. She further said the market, which was built less than 10 years ago, was already in bad shape. The market was later opened after the necessary sanitation had taken place.

Folashade’s Philanthropic Activities

Folahade Tinunu-Ojo is known in Lagos for her several philanthropic activities. She provided basic amenities across all the markets in Lagos and empowered market men and women with loans to make their business grow and flourish.

She also established the Folashade Tinubu-Ojo which focused on providing support for orphans, widows, and other vulnerable groups in Lagos State. 

She single handedly built and equipped recreational centres, primary health care, computer training centres, and a lot more..

Folashade Political Prowess

Aside from Folashade’s philanthropic activities, she has been actively involved in politics for several years. She is currently a member of the All Progressive Congress (APC) party and also a member of the party’s women and Youth Presidential Campaign Team.

She has supported various political campaigns in Lagos State and has been very instrumental in grassroots and mobilization efforts. Her political influence is widely recognised as she is seen as one of the key figures in the APC’s efforts to maintain its stronghold in the state.