Folake Solanke: The Woman Who Shattered Nigeria’s Legal Glass Ceiling

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 By Victor Olubiye


In the grand corridors of Nigeria’s legal history, one name stands out like a shining beacon—Chief Folake Solanke, SAN, OON, CON—a woman whose brilliance and determination broke barriers, inspired generations, and redefined what was possible for women in law.

Born on March 29, 1932, Solanke’s path was perhaps destined for greatness. She is the daughter of Chief Jacob Sogboyega Odulate, the celebrated pharmacist and inventor of the iconic Alabukun medicine—a household remedy whose reach spanned decades. With such a legacy of ingenuity and grit, it was no surprise that Folake carved her own path to history.

After earning her law degree from the University of Newcastle, she was called to the English Bar in 1962. Returning to Nigeria, she etched her name in the nation’s legal annals by becoming the first woman to be conferred the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN)—a feat that made her the first woman to don the silk gown reserved for the country’s top legal minds.

But Solanke’s influence was never confined to the courtroom. A fierce advocate for women’s rights and leadership, she made history again as the inaugural female president of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria. Her leadership extended into education and public service, where she chaired several institutions and served as commissioner for the Western State of Nigeria in 1972. She also led the Western Government Broadcasting Corporation Television and Radio Network Service, proving her versatility in governance and media.

Her achievements transcended national borders. On July 21, 1994, she became the 42nd president of Zonta International—an organisation championing women’s advancement—becoming the first non-Caucasian to hold the role since its founding in 1919. Her election was more than a personal victory; it was a milestone for Africa, women, and the global Black community.

In her autobiography, Reaching for the Stars, Solanke chronicles her extraordinary journey—a journey that has lit the way for countless women to step into boardrooms, courtrooms, and leadership spaces once thought unattainable.

Today, Chief Folake Solanke is more than a legal luminary; she is a trailblazer whose courage and accomplishments continue to echo across Nigeria’s professional landscape. For every young woman with dreams bigger than the boundaries society sets, her life remains an unshakable testament that the sky is only the beginning.

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