– KEMI AKINYEMI 

One of the most accomplished and distinguished matriarchs of the Nigerian social establishment, Foluke Kafayat Abdul-Razaq, clocks 64 today. 

With a distinctive record of service in finance, banking, stock broking, business and public office, Abdul-Razaq is also proving her onions at the frontline of education administration. And her strong belief in the efficacy of hard work, determination and self are standing her in good stead.

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Born into the renowned families of Labisi-Olugbesan of Agbokojo, Ibadan and Abibu-Oki of Lagos, Abdul-Rasaq attended Our Lady of Apostles Private School, Yaba, Lagos and proceeded to Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School, Ibadan for her secondary education. Abdul-Rasaq later attended the Yaba College of Technology and Kwara State College of Technology, where she obtained her OND and HND (Accountancy), respectively. Later she bagged a Master of Science in Banking and Finance from the University of Ibadan. An alumnus of the Harvard Business School, Boston, USA, Abdul-Rasaq is currently a non executive director of the United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA), where she is the chairman of the bank’s Board Credit Committee as well as a member of the Board’s Statutory Audit and Nominations and Governance committees.

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Abdul-Razaq is no stranger to public office. Significantly, she was the Lagos State Commissioner for Finance, and later, Women Affairs and Social Development, between 1997 and 1999. Subsequently, she took up an appointment with the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company Limited, where she headed several departments, including Administration Management Services, Commercial and Corporate Development. She was also Executive Director, ML Securities Limited (1999 -2001), a stock brokerage firm

Abdul-Rasaq has served on the board of Nigeria’s largest construction company, Julius Berger plc. She currently serves as the Vice-President, Bank Directors’ Association of Nigeria (BDAN) and is a member of the Institute of Directors (IoD).

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In 1999, Abdul-Razaq won the coveted “Lagos State Woman of Excellence” Award and was appointed Justice of the Peace (JP)..

It is imperative to note that Abdul-Razaq is the first and only female Commissioner for Finance in Lagos State. And to her credit, the broad policies on which Lagos State’s Accelerated Revenue Generation Programme (ARGP) were formulated during her tenure.  

A passionate lover of education, Abdul-Rasaq set up the prestigious Bridge House College in Ikoyi, Lagos, an independent private sixth-form co-educational institution.

Sixteen years ago, Abdul-Rasaq had birthed the Bridge House College vision, with the aim of bridging the gap for High School leavers to cross to universities of their choices, all over the world, fully equipped for success. Her vision and tireless effort in sustaining this great institution has made BHC what it is today – one of the most the pre-eminent sixth-form and post-secondary institutions in Nigeria.

Bridge House College is an accredited centre with the British Council to conduct Cambridge examinations and also a UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admission Services) centre. The college works with Brooke House College, United Kingdom, a foremost sixth-form college with over 36 years experience in placing students in universities throughout the UK. 

BHC provides a serene environment away from the city, where students can focus on their studies, participation in extra-murals, developing their interpersonal relationships, as well as realizing the career path most suitable for them. The college faculty has an excellent track record of sixth-form college education, with teachers enthusiastic about teaching and motivated towards bringing out the best in each student. It strives to make sure every student have a balanced experience; combining studies, religious activities, sports, and personal development in the right blend.

Fondly called FKA by her friends and admirers, Abdul-Rasaq is happily married to Dr. Alimi Abdul-Rasaq, a distinguished lawyer and arbitrator, prominent politician and accomplished businessman. He is the first son of the revered Alhaji AGF Abdul-Rasaq, a senior advocate of Nigeria. Their marriage is blessed with children and grandchildren.

Her hobbies include travelling and reading.