Africa’s richest woman, Mrs. Folorunsho Alakija, has taken out time to encourage and inspire people who look up to her, via a motivational post on her Instagram page.

In her motivations, Alakija revealed that she never had a University education, yet after many years, she has received several Honorary Doctorate Degrees both in Nigerian and abroad.

From the experience she shared, it is easy to come into reality with the popular quote that ‘life is not a bed of roses’.

Alakija spoke about her undaunted fight with life as a child from a polygamous family whose father did not believe in female education.

However, against all odds, she can be called a success today.

She wrote, “I would like to encourage you on my encounter with the Glory of God. It happened almost 27 years ago when I gave my life to Christ at the age of 40 and my life has not been the same ever since. I pray your life too will experience a total turn around.

“I was born almost 67 years ago, into a large and illustrious polygamous Muslim family as number 8 out of 52 children through a father who had 8 wives.

“Back then large families were common, but what was unusual was that I was one of the very first few Nigerian children who left its shores to go and study abroad at such a tender age of 7.  Even at that age, I knew I could not afford to let my family down cause I was seen as an ambassador.

“My desire was to study law but my Daddy did not believe in investing in girls at that time. Today, I have no university degree, but God’s glory lifted me up and I have received numerous Honorary Doctorate Degrees at home and abroad.

“All of what you now see today has taken almost two and a half decades, so I am not an overnight success. On the contrary. Through God’s grace, I am a blood bought totally forgiven, absolutely redeemed, heaven bound child of God.

“I have had to make sacrifices like everyone else, faced challenges but never given up. I have not compromised myself, my values or my faith. Glory to be God.”

#PartOne I would like to encourage you on my encounter with the Glory of God. It happened almost 27 years ago when I gave my life to Christ at the age of 40 and my life has not been the same ever since, I pray your life too, will experience a total turn around. I was born almost 67 years ago, into a large and illustrious polygamous Muslim family as number 8 out of 52 children through a father who had 8 wives. Back then large families were common, but what was unusual was that I was one of the very first few Nigerian children who left it’s shores to go and study abroad at such a tender age of 7. Even at that age, I knew I could not afford to let my family down cause I was seen as an ambassador. My desire was to study law but my Daddy did not believe in investing in girls at that time. Today, I have no university degree, but God’s glory lifted me up and I have received numerous Honorary Doctorate Degrees at home and abroad. All of what you now see today has taken almost two and a half decades, so I am not an overnight success. On the contrary. Through God’s grace, I am a blood bought totally forgiven, absolutely redeemed, heaven bound child of God. I have had to make sacrifices like everyone else, faced challenges but never given up. I have not compromised myself, my values or my faith. GLORY BE TO GOD #FolorunsoAlakija #DaughterOfZion

A post shared by Folorunso Alakija (@alakijaofficial) on Feb 21, 2018 at 3:02am PST