Queen Of Total Success

Finding the courage, confidence and boldness to aspire change in every sphere of your life is possible. 43-year-old Bola Adelani’s story is the perfect example.

- Cate Odera

Bola journey as a motivational speaker begun 14 years ago. She has spoken in France, England, the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Egypt and recently in Nairobi at the Branding Beyond Borders Women’s Summit.

‘It’s taken 28 years for me to understand how anchored my relationship is with God. But I am a stubborn one. I was a hard nut to crack otherwise it wouldn’t have taken that long. I had many layers of things God had to remove. Stemming from my childhood, through to marriage. I was projecting many things on my relationship with him,’ she states.

Bola reveals that she suffered a series of events that dented her faith. She clarifies, ‘over 20 years ago, I had a miscarriage.’

Like most mums, she tried to have another baby as soon as she could. ‘I lost that second baby at birth, then I suffered post-partum complications. I developed an infection on my hip and nearly died. I was in hospital for six months - in and out of theatre, surgery after surgery. The whole process took about 18 months,’ she recalls. When Bola finally walked out of hospital, she had a slight limp, a hip replacement and many doubts regarding her faith.

‘That was the season where God and I fought. I lost my faith and that taught me not to judge others when they lose theirs,’ says Bola.

‘I feel God used the pain to refine, purify, humble and ground me. It’s part of my walk with him. He brought me to a place where I am mellow. I am now less vain and it is all about him,’ she muses.

Bola who went on to have two boys, ‘Emmanuel, even though he’s the third, he’s my first living child. So when people see me, they see my glory, my success, but they don’t know my story. But I don’t regret any of it,’