Olufolake Abdulrazaq

Ambassador Prof.
Olufolake Abdulrazaq
First Lady of Kwara State, Nigeria
In office
2019–Present
PresidentBola Tinubu
Director at the Nigeria Ministry of Foreign Affairs
In office
March 2019 – October 2021
Personal details
BornOlufolake Molawa Davies
(1967-08-02)August 2, 1967
Lagos, Nigeria
SpouseAbdulRahman AbdulRazaq
EducationUniversity of Lagos
OccupationDiplomat, Humanitarian

Olufolake Molawa Davies Abdulrazaq (born 2 August 1967), is a Nigerian diplomat, public servant, and humanitarian. She was born in Lagos and graduated from University of Lagos in 1991. Olufolake is the First Lady of Kwara State since 2019, and she served as a Director of the Economic and Legal Department at Nigeria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs until 2021. Her career as a diplomat started in 1993, and she has held senior roles in Nigeria’s foreign missions in the United Kingdom, South Africa, and France, including as Counsellor at the Nigerian High Commission in London between 1998 and 2004.[1][2]

In 2019, Olufolake founded the Ajike People Support Centre, a non-profit focused on women's empowerment, healthcare, education, and youth development. Recognition she has earned for her work include being named First Lady of the Year by The Sun Nigeria in 2023.[3][4]

Early life and education

Olufolake was born on 2 August 1967 in Lagos, Nigeria. During the Nigerian Civil War, her father Hezekiah Olufela Davies was posted to the United States as an information attaché to the Nigerian embassy, where she spent part of her early childhood. She later returned to Lagos to complete her primary and secondary education.[4]

Olufolake earned a degree in history from the University of Lagos in 1988 and completed her National Youth Service Corps programme with the 1st Mechanized Infantry Division of the Nigerian Army in Kaduna. In 1990, she earned a postgraduate qualification in Mass Communication, followed by a master's program in international law and diplomacy she completed in 1991, both from the University of Lagos.In 2019, she was conferred with a Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) by the Paris-based European American University.[3]

In 2020, the Geofidel Institute for Leadership and Management (UK) conferred on her an Honorary Doctorate in Gender Development. In September 2022, she received an Honorary PhD in Social Policy and Administration from Prowess University, United States. In August 2023, she was also conferred with an Honorary Professorship in International Relations by the International Entrepreneur University, also based in Delaware, USA.[5][6]

Diplomatic career

Olufolake began her diplomatic service in 1993 with the Nigeria Foreign Affairs Ministry. Between 1994 and 1998, she served as Third Secretary and Foreign Service Officer at the Ministry’s Lagos liaison office. From 1998 to 2004, she was designated Counsellor in charge of Political Affairs, Investment, Administration, and Trade at the Nigerian High Commission in London.[4]

Between 2004 and 2007, she served as Head of Chancery and Head of Trade and Investment at the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria, South Africa. From 2007 to 2010, she was Minister Counsellor at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja. She was appointed to the Nigerian Embassy in Paris from 2010 to 2013.[4]

From 2013 to 2014, Olufolake served as Assistant Director in the Office of the Honourable Minister. She then returned to the London High Commission as Minister Head Commonwealth desk in 2015 and Minister Head of Consular, Education and Welfare in 2016.[7]

Between November 2017 and September 2018, Olufolake served as Acting Director at the Foreign Affairs Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja. She was subsequently appointed as Acting Director and led the Trade and Economic Cooperation Division until 2019. Since March 2019, she served as Director of the Economic, and Legal Department until October 2021. She also serves as the Ministry’s alternate representative on the board of the NIPC.[3]

Role as First Lady

Olufolake founded the Ajike People Support Centre, a non-profit focused on empowering women, youth, and vulnerable groups founded in 2019. Through the Centre, she has led humanitarian programmes including engaging young people through creative arts, sports, and awareness campaigns on drug abuse and cybercrime.[8]

In 2020, Olufolake provided COVID-19 relief to vulnerable communities across Kwara State. As reported, over 200 households received palliatives under the Northern Governors' Wives' Forum. She also donated ₦100,000 to the Kwara Ladies Football Club and distributed locally made face masks from the state's Female Tailors Association.[9]

In 2023, Olufolake was appointed Malaria Ambassador of Kwara State after leading the advocacy efforts that contributed to a drop in malaria prevalence among children under five.[10] In 2025, she was appointed Chairperson of the Board of Advisors for the Global Sustainability Summit and Awards (GSSA).[11]

Appointments

Recognition

  • 2021: Most Outstanding State TB Champion.[12]
  • 2021: African Peace Legend Award.[13]
  • 2021: Named North‑Central First Lady of the Year and First Lady of the Year by Independent Nigeria.[1]
  • 2022: West Africa Youth Council Award.[14]
  • 2023: The First Lady of the Year by The Sun Nigeria.[4]
  • 2024: Honoured at the Annual Afro Awards.[15]

References

  1. ^ a b c "H.E Olufolake Abdulrazaq: A Force for Good in Diplomacy, Social Impact, and Public Service – DAWN Commission". Retrieved 7 July 2025.
  2. ^ Nwabogor, Konye Chelsea (30 July 2023). "Olufolake Abdulrazaq. The Soft Power Behind the Governor – THISDAY Style". Retrieved 7 July 2025.
  3. ^ a b c Ajumobi, Kemi (10 July 2020). "HE Olufolake Abdulrazaq, on a mission to impact the people of Kwara positively for the betterment of the state". Businessday NG. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
  4. ^ a b c d e Rapheal (24 January 2024). "The Sun Award Winners 2023: Olufolake Abdulrazaq: First Lady of the Year". The Sun Nigeria. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
  5. ^ a b c d "AMB. PROF. OLUFOLAKE ABDULRAZAQ : Chairperson Nigeria Governor's Wives Forum". Media Room Hub. 18 August 2023. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
  6. ^ "Nigeria Governors Spouses' Forum | The Chairperson". 5 July 2024. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
  7. ^ Magazine, Nigerian CEO. "H.E Ambassador Olufolake Abdulrazaq, First Lady of Kwara state – Nigerian CEO Magazine". Retrieved 11 July 2025.
  8. ^ Chima, Naomi (15 September 2024). "Philanthropic First Ladies making a difference". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 4 July 2025.
  9. ^ "Coronavirus: 200 households benefit from Abdulrazaq's palliatives". pmnewsnigeria.com. 1 May 2020. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
  10. ^ Azeez, Biola (22 October 2023). "First Lady, Prof Olufolake becomes Kwara malaria ambassador". Tribune Online. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
  11. ^ Lawal, Ebiowei (27 January 2025). "Global sustainability summit appoints Amb. Abdulrazaq as Board Chairperson". Tribune Online. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
  12. ^ "KNCV Nigeria awarded at the National TB Conference | KNCV Tuberculosis". www.kncvtbplus.com. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
  13. ^ "Excellency Ambassador, Dr. Mrs. Olufolake Abdulrazaq First Lady of Kwara State at the African Peace Awards 2021". African Peace Magazine. 15 November 2021. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
  14. ^ highprofile (30 January 2022). "Kwara First Lady bags West Africa Youth Council award". High Profile. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
  15. ^ Oyewale, Ibrahim (11 October 2024). "Ex-President Jonathan, Kwara Governor's Wife, Others Bag Afro Awards 2024 – THISDAYLIVE". www.thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
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