Folake Solanke: The Woman Who Shattered Nigeria’s Legal Glass Ceiling
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 t...