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Name: Olufolake Abdulrazaq
Date of Birth: August 25 1967
Title: First Lady of Kwara State
Position/Office Held:
◦ Chairperson Nigeria Governors Wives Forum
« Socials »
« Profile »
Ambassador Professor Olufolake Abdulrazaq, a diplomat, counselor, philanthropist, and First Lady of Kwara State.
« Early Life and Education »
Born in Lagos, South West Nigeria, and proceeded to the United States where she started her early education and later returned to Nigeria to complete same.
Mrs. Olufolake Abdulrazaq was admitted into the University of Lagos where she obtained a Bachelor’s degree in History in 1988 after which she proceeded for her one-year mandatory National Youth Service Corp at the 1st Mechanized Infantry Division, Nigerian Army, Kaduna from 1988 to 1989.
In 1990, she bagged a Postgraduate Diploma in Mass Communication before she proceeded to acquire a master’s degree in International Law and Diplomacy in 1991, all at the prestigious University of Lagos. On the 5th of October 2019, Olufolake Abdulrazaq was conferred with Doctor of Science Honoris Causa (DSC Hons) in Excellent Governance and Social Empowerment by the European American University. Her academic achievements were further honored with an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Gender Development from the Geofidel Institute for Leadership and Management, London, in December 2020.
« Public Service Career »
Folake Abdulrazaq started her public service career in 1993 at the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where through hard work, dedication and forthrightness, ascended the ladder to the peak of her chosen career. Abdulrazaq was the third secretary/foreign service officer at the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lagos liaison office from 1994 – 1998, where she proceeded to the Nigerian High Commission, London, where she served as Counsellor; Political Affairs, Trade, Investment and Administration from 1998 to 2004.
In 2004, she was appointed Head of Chancery and Trade and Investment at the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria. She later returned to Nigeria to serve as Minister Counselor at the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 2007 to 2010 before being posted to the Embassy of Nigeria in Paris until 2013.
From November 2017 to September 2018, she served as the acting Director, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Abuja; she was also the Acting Director and Head Trade, investment, and economic cooperation division from September 2018 to April 2019.
While serving in South Africa, France, and the United Kingdom, Olufolake Abdulrazaq has been commended as part of the team that organized successful presidential visits to these countries, she is also the Alternate Representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the board of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission.
« Leadership, Awards & Honours »
As the First Lady of Kwara State, she has made judicious use of her position. Besides supporting her husband, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, to influence various social and community initiatives that improve the welfare of the people, she established the Ajike People Support Centre to address healthcare, education, poverty alleviation, and gender equality.
In addition, as Chairperson of the Nigeria Governors’ Wives Forum, Her Excellency Olufolake Abdulrazaq collaborates with other First Ladies nationwide to drive impactful initiatives that create lasting change across Nigeria. Her priorities include promoting the enrollment of children in schools, empowering women and youth through skills acquisition, advocating against gender-based violence, and supporting women in leadership positions.
She is equally the current National Vice President of the Nigeria Baseball and Softball Association and President of District 03 Nigeria Little League, indicating her impact in promoting sports development among the youth. Her role as a TB Champion and her involvement in the Kwara State Health Committee highlights her commitment to improving health outcomes in her state. Folake Abdulrazaq serves as the Matron of various organizations, including the National Council for Women Societies, the Ilorin Golf Club, and the Girls Brigade Kwara State, demonstrating her dedication to community service and empowerment.
Considering her efforts in improving the socioeconomic status and well-being of the people, especially the women, children, and youth, Her Excellency has been bestowed several traditional titles, awards, and recognitions. Some of these include;
- Erelu of Ilado and Inagbe Islands
- The Labinjo of Eti Oni in Osun State
- The Yeye Aare Soludero of Offa
- Sarau’niyah of Kaiama Kingdom
- Yeye-Atayero of Obbo-ayegunle
- Yeye-Atunluse of Esie Land
- Yeye Akorede of Oro Kingdom
- Yeye Atunluse of Isin Land
She also holds the Daily Independent Newspaper North Central First Lady of the Year and the African Peace Legend Award. Her Excellency’s humanitarian efforts have also earned her the Rotary Humanitarian Service Award.
