From the streets of Ikoyi, one building stands out long before visitors reach its entrance. Rising 103 meters into the Lagos skyline, Centre Point, formerly known as the Famfa Oil Tower, reflects the business success of Nigeria’s richest woman, Folorunso Alakija. Built without a single bank loan, the $100 million skyscraper is far more than a premium commercial property. It is the result of decades of business growth that took Alakija from an executive secretary’s desk to the helm of one of Nigeria’s best-known privately owned oil companies.

Positioned at the corner of Alfred Rewane (Kingsway) Road in Ikoyi, Centre Point commands attention through its distinctive architecture. Its curving exterior, detailed stencil-inspired façade and tiara-shaped crown distinguish it from the surrounding skyline while giving the building a presence associated with major financial centers around the world. The design reflects careful attention to detail, but the story behind the tower is rooted less in architecture than in the woman whose business career made it possible.

From fashion pioneer to oil billionaire

Nigeria’s richest woman, Folorunso Alakija’s rise began in 1974 when she started work as an executive secretary at Sijuade Enterprises in Lagos. Years later, she moved into fashion, establishing Supreme Stitches, which was later renamed The Rose of Sharon House of Fashion. Her designs quickly attracted Nigeria’s wealthy clientele, giving her recognition in one industry before she entered another that would ultimately define her fortune.

That turning point came in 1993 when she secured an oil prospecting license covering a 617,000-acre offshore block in Nigeria’s Agbami Field. The move marked her entry into an industry where few expected an African businesswoman to succeed at the highest level. Through Famfa Oil, she built one of Nigeria’s largest crude exporters, establishing herself among the world’s most successful self-made businesswomen. Her fortune has since exceeded $1 billion, and Centre Point reflects the scale of that achievement, standing as a lasting reminder of years of business decisions, persistence and long-term investment.

Construction of the tower began in late 2016 with Italian engineering company Trevi Foundations carrying out the piling works. Julius Berger, one of Nigeria’s best-known construction companies, completed the civil works under a turnkey arrangement. By November 2022, the project had been delivered, adding one of the country’s most prominent commercial developments to Lagos’ business district.

The completed building provides 20 floors of premium office accommodation. Five floors are occupied by Famfa Oil and Alakija’s personal offices, while the remaining space accommodates multinational companies and leading African businesses. The tower has become one of Lagos’ most recognizable corporate addresses, combining modern office infrastructure with facilities designed to support daily business operations.

Engineering luxury for enterprise operations

Every aspect of Centre Point reflects its focus on serving senior executives and corporate tenants. The rooftop terrace provides space above the city for business gatherings, while a technologically equipped event hall and executive gym extend the building beyond the traditional office environment. A helipad with its own waiting lounge offers direct access for visitors seeking to avoid Lagos’ well-known traffic, reinforcing the tower’s appeal to business leaders who place a premium on time.

The development also addresses practical business needs. Parking for 266 vehicles provides capacity for tenants and visitors, while raised access floors, selected granite finishes, and a high-performance unitized curtain wall system contribute to both functionality and energy efficiency. After sunset, the illuminated exterior transforms Centre Point into one of the most recognizable buildings on the Lagos skyline.

Reliable infrastructure remains central to the building’s appeal. An advanced uninterruptible power supply system helps maintain uninterrupted business operations despite Lagos’ frequent electricity disruptions. Office spaces are designed with open layouts that maximize natural light, while integrated powered blinds help manage heat during the day. Shared areas finished with porcelain tiles and granite reinforce the building’s polished appearance, creating workspaces designed to meet the expectations of international and regional corporate tenants alike.

For Alakija, Centre Point represents another chapter in a career that has crossed industries and reshaped expectations. It connects the story of a woman who began as an executive secretary, built a respected fashion business, secured a 617,000-acre oil prospecting license in 1993 and went on to build Famfa Oil into one of Nigeria’s largest crude exporters. The $100 million tower now bearing the name Centre Point reflects those decades of work, standing over Ikoyi as a permanent reminder of the business success that made it possible.