Alaba Lawson was a remarkable woman who made history in Nigeria as a successful businesswoman, educator, and leader. She was the first woman to be elected president of the National Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), the umbrella body of all chambers of commerce in Nigeria.

She was also the Iyalode of Yorubaland, a prestigious title that signifies the highest rank of womanhood in the Yoruba culture. She passed away on October 28, 2023, at the age of 72, leaving behind a legacy of excellence, empowerment, and philanthropy.

Alaba Lawson Early Life and Education

Alaba Lawson was born on January 18, 1951, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria, to the Jiboku-Taiwo family. She completed her primary and secondary school education at St. James African Primary School, Idi-Ape, Abeokuta between 1957 and 1962 and at Abeokuta Girls Grammar School, Abeokuta, leaving in 1968. She then proceeded to St. Nicholas Montessori Teachers Training College at Princes Gate, England in 1973 where she obtained a first-class diploma in education.

Alaba Lawson Career

Lawson started her teaching career in 1969 at Children House School, Ibara, and while in England, she taught at Queens Gate Montessori Nursery School and Mill Hill Nursery and Junior School before she returned to Nigeria in 1977 to establish her own school called Lawsons Childcare Nursery and Primary School. She started with just three students and later expanded to Lawson Group of Schools.

Lawson also ventured into trading and distribution business and established Capricorn Stores Ltd in 1968. She had distributing outlets with Nigerian Breweries Ltd, Nigerian Bottling Company Ltd, Guinness Nigeria Ltd, West African Portland Cement Ltd, etc. She later established Abestone Microfinance Bank in 2009 to boost small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Lawson was also actively involved in the chamber of commerce movement and rose through the ranks to become the president of the Abeokuta Chambers of Commerce in 1995 and the president of the Ogun Council of Chambers of Commerce in 2000. On May 25, 2017, she made history by becoming the first woman to be elected president of NACCIMA, the umbrella body of all chambers of commerce in Nigeria . She also served as the chairman of the board of the Governing Council, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Ogun State.

Alaba Lawson Personal Life

Lawson was married to Chief Adekunle Lawson, a businessman and politician who died in 2011. They had four children: Oluseun, Olufemi, Olubukola, and Olumide.

Alaba Lawson Chieftaincy Titles

Lawson was conferred with several chieftaincy titles in recognition of her contributions to the society. Some of them are:

• The Otun of Oko

• The Asiwaju Iyalode of Egbaland

• The Otun Iyalode of the Egba Christians

• The Iyalode of Egbaland (since deposed)

• The Iyalode of Yorubaland

What Are Some Of Alaba Lawson Notable Achievements?

Some of her notable achievements are:

• She was the first woman to be elected president of the National Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), the umbrella body of all chambers of commerce in Nigeria.

• She was the Iyalode of Yorubaland, a prestigious title that signifies the highest rank of womanhood in the Yoruba culture.

• She established Lawson Group of Schools, which provides quality education to thousands of children in Nigeria.

• She founded Abestone Microfinance Bank, which supports small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria.

• She received several awards and honours, such as Amazon of Yorubaland, Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), and Doctor of Business Administration (Honoris Causa) from Crescent University, Abeokuta.

Alaba Lawson Death

Lawson died on October 28, 2023, at the age of 72. She was buried in her hometown of Abeokuta, Ogun State, on November 4, 2023, amid tributes from dignitaries, friends, and family. She was described as a visionary, a mentor, a philanthropist, and a role model for women in Nigeria and beyond.

Controversy And Activism Of Alaba Lawson

Alaba Lawson was not only a successful businesswoman and leader, but also a controversial figure and an activist for various causes. Some of the controversies and activism that marked her life are:

• She was deposed as the Iyalode of Egbaland by the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, in 2020, after she allegedly disrespected the traditional ruler and his council. She was accused of being rude, arrogant, and insubordinate to the Alake and his chiefs, and of using her position to undermine the authority of the palace. She denied the allegations and challenged the decision in court, claiming that she was being victimized for speaking the truth and defending the rights of women.

• She was a vocal advocate for womens empowerment and development, especially in the areas of education, entrepreneurship, and leadership. She initiated several programs and platforms to support women in business, such as the NACCIMA Business Women Group (NAWORG), the Women in Successful Careers (WISCAR), and the Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ). She also mentored and inspired many young women to pursue their dreams and aspirations.

• She was a staunch supporter of the restructuring of Nigeria and the devolution of power to the regions. She argued that the current system of governance was unfair, inefficient, and unsustainable, and that the country needed to adopt a true federalism that would allow each region to control its resources and affairs. She also called for the implementation of the recommendations of the 2014 National Conference, which she participated in as a delegate.

• She was a philanthropist who donated generously to various causes and institutions, such as the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, the Ogun State Hospital Management Board, and the Abeokuta Central Mosque. She also sponsored scholarships, bursaries, and awards for students and teachers in Ogun State and beyond. She was honoured with several awards and recognitions for her humanitarian and social services.

Conclusion

Alaba Lawson was a woman of many achievements and accolades. She broke barriers and glass ceilings in the male-dominated fields of business and leadership. She championed the cause of womens empowerment and development through her various initiatives and platforms. She touched the lives of many people with her generosity and kindness. She was a trailblazer for women in business and leadership, and a source of inspiration for generations to come.