Q: Please tell us about yourself
I was born in Ibadan, Oyo state. I was brought to Lagos as an infant. I'm an easy going person. I have few close friends. I relate with a lot of people. I like going out, but I won't call myself a social bird. I'm comfortable in my home. I'm a frank person. I love people who are honest and disciplined. My husband says I talk too much I could be a very serious person.
Q: What are your biggest strengths and what are your biggest weaknesses
I'm principled. I'm a little impatient, particularly now that I'm older. I'm a perfectionist and I'm tolerant. I do not like rude and uncourteous people. I hate pretenders. I like to think I'm sociable and accommodating to a certain extent.
Q: What is your typical day like now
I was eighty, some weeks ago. I'm semi - retired. I wake up in the morning, have a short prayer. I take my bath, and then take a cup of coffee. I read my messages on the telephone. I listen to Bible online or read the Bible. I stay quietly and pray for a while. I go to the living room, eat, and then get ready to go to the factory. If it's a day I want to go there. Years back, I go promptly, but now I take my time. When I get there, I go through the factory, look through what they have done and do some administrative work. I eat something light at work, chat with friends on the phone. I try not to call my children during office hours, so as not to disturb them, unless it's absolutely necessary. I come home, relax, watch some programmes on TV, news, and then go to my room and rest for the day.
Q: How did you start your day when you first started at work
I'm an Analytic Chemist. I'm a fellow of the Institute of Public Analyst Nigeria. I'm also a fellow of the chemical society of Nigeria. I retired from NAFDAC. I wanted to be an Analyst's Analyst. I wanted to open a specialized laboratory where my clients will be fellow Analyst and I would do specialized instrumental analysis. That was my plan, but I didn't have a place to do it. I thought of a place I could rent as a laboratory. I told my husband, when I found two possible places for the laboratory. After considering the two places, in which he never stopped to check the first place, he decided to build me a place in his factory. I changed my plan about the laboratory and decided to make it water factory. I told my husband and he supported me. That's how 'Austin Water' came to be. My husband built the bungalow for the factory in 2002. We grew big for the bungalow, then my husband gave me a portion of his factory to produce my water, and that's where we are till date.
Q: How was your early life growing up, your days as a teenager
In our generation, we had splendid time. School was really good. I went to boarding school. Most of our teachers were white, since Queens College was founded by the whites. They taught us to be ladies who would fit into the upper and middle class in the society, who can relate with the white people.
Our upbringing was very western. We were taught European dances, poetry European history and a good part of their history. We had a very good library, we were encouraged to read and listen to music. We were taught domestic education, how to polish wood, floors, knit, cook, sew. It was a broad education. We did inter school sports we had debating societies, with representatives from different schools. There was a lot of interaction within our generation. I was always a sports person in my younger days and I went as far as representing Nigeria in athletics when I was at the University of Lagos.
Q: What made you choose to be in the career you are in today
I came from a background where education is valued. My father made sure he educated his children. My elder brother, Moshood Akanbi was the MD of National Oil. I had two elder sisters. We all followed my brother's footsteps. I thought I would do medicine. One of my brother's friends, a doctor took me to see a post mortem and unfortunately, it was a child. I was so nauseated. It wasn't a good experience for me. At that point, I knew medicine wasn't for me. I didn't know what else to do. After much contemplation, I realized I liked organic chemistry. I decided to do Chemistry. I loved our professor at that time, he was good. I got prizes in the university.
At Queens College, I also got a scholarship, given to very good students. I used that from my form 3, to my high school. In my first year in the university, I got a 'German Scholarship', the best scholarship in the university at that time. The scholarship gave me the chance to travel. Apart from paying school fees, they gave lots of allowances. That time, I travelled to London, as it was easy for students to travel to London, during summer. We worked, made some money, bought clothes and came back to Nigeria to show off.
I chose Chemistry because I love the subject. After I graduated, I went on a programme in the US, which was part of ‘Operational Crossroots Africa Exchange Programme’, between Nigeria and the United States. A few students were nominated from Nigeria, I was one of them. It was a competitive thing. It was a three month programme. We were divided into groups to study parts of the US system. After three months, we came back. Before then, my brother had applied in a number of places to get me a job. People came from different big companies to interview students for work. I was interviewed by Chief Omolayole, and I was given a job at ‘Lever Brothers’ as a Chemist. Meanwhile, my brother had written an application to the Federal Civil Service on my behalf. I told my father about my employment and he said it was better for me to work for the government, as a lady , because it would make me have more time for my family. My brother said I should go to the Ministry of Health, that he has applied for me there, which I did.

Q: What was your first job
It was at the Government Chemist at the Ministry of Health. It was a good experience. Dr Amaechi was my first boss. I was placed in the water laboratory. We ensured that the water drunk in Lagos was of good quality. We had various sections, which eventually merged with the pharmacy department to become NAFDAC today.
Q: What was it like getting your first salary pay cheque
It was exciting. I did not come from a poor background. I was well taken care of by my parents. When I got my first salary, I gave it my father, he laughed and he said 'O ṣé Àṣàkẹ́' (Thank you, Àṣàkẹ́). He told me to give it to my mother. I gave it to my mother and she also laughed and prayed for me. She took a part of the money, to give some extended family members, and returned the remaining amount to me. During my first month at work, my uncle wanted me to stay with him, which I did. He and his wife were very good people. He used to give me pocket money until I insisted he stopped giving, since I was earning too.
Q: Did you have a mentor in your early days at work
Yes, Mr Dan Akoh, our director. He was a fine gentle man. It was his dream that came to pass when we had the formation of NAFDAC. Another one is Mr Baptist. He knew it was better to control foods and drugs together. By the time we became NAFDAC, many of those who were part of the reformation, had retired, and new persons were brought in.
Q: What is your current or your last job
There are lots of reasons why I chose run a water factory. My daughter did Chemistry in University of Lagos she went Queens College as well. She went to the US, she did some Accountancy. I thought she would be able to run my new business I opened, because she has the prerequisite to run it better. That was my dream but it didn't work that way.
Q: How do your balance your work and your life
My home was my priority. My work didn't take precedence over my family. One of the reasons that led to my leaving was when we were asked to move to Abuja. Gen. Sanni Abacha then asked federal civil servants to move to Abuja, whether we like it or not. They had rented flats for us. We were asked to move with on our files. I had to shuttle between Abuja and Lagos every weekend. It was quite challenging.
Q: How do you manage stress
I love swimming. When my grand children are available, we go swimming together. I read a lot. I talk a lot too. I prefer talking to typing on phone. I take to my family and friends on the telephone. I listen to music, I watch the TV, I watch 'Tinsel'. I love cooking I like housework but don't like watching plates. When I was younger, I did a lot of baking. I love handicraft, knitting. Queens College had a meeting recently we did painting, which rekindled my interest in painting.
Q: What is your ideal vacation
When I travel, I like to visit historical sites, museums, old castles. I love to tour, to go to new places. When I travel with my family, we go on tour, to beaches, rides and many more.
Q: Your favorite place in the world outside Nigeria
It's difficult to say, but I'd probably say Houston
Q: How did you meet your Spouse
I met my husband at University of Lagos. The first time I saw him, what came to my mind was, 'this is the type of man I will like to marry'. So, when he asked me out, I said yes, and that was how it started.
Q: How many children do you have
I gave birth to four children, but I have three now. I lost a daughter.
Q: Did you want more
No, I wanted four.
Q: Did any of them follow in your footsteps, career wise
My last born did Chemical engineering, because my husband who's an engineer told him to study engineering. I told him to do Chemical engineering because it is the engineering of the future, which he obeyed. However, having satisfied us, he decided to do what he wanted. So I didn't bother telling others what to do.
Q: How does that make you feel
Well, I'm okay. I've come to realize that we should let children do what they have passion for. We should guide them. We need to study our children more, know their strengths and weaknesses, then guide them.
Q: What experiences have you had in your life that you’d say have shaped you to be the person you are today
I've come to realize that the world is a small place. As much as you can, make positive contributions, to those who surround you. Help people that are genuinely in need, not to encourage laziness in them, but to support them. Encourage people to develop their talent.
Q: What one thing do wish you could go back in time and do all over again
I have been so blessed. Though, I've had my own challenges in life, I've found out that you must trust your instinct. Follow your passion. When God has blessed you, share your blessings with others who need it, not to someone who wants to exploit.
Q: How is your relationship with God
I'm comfortable. I've come to trust God. I know there's a higher being to guide you, if you listen. I'm grateful to God, for all he has done in my life.
Q: If you could pick 3 people to have a conversation with either living or dead, who would they be
My eldest brother, because he had a great influence on my life.
My husband, because he was sufficient for me.
My children, because, they are all uniquely different and I know who among them to call, when I need to call for certain reasons.
Q: What are your 3 greatest achievements thus far
I have a happy family, a good home and the love of my children.

Q: Beef or Chicken or Fish
Fish
Q: Hot or Cold weather
Hot
Q: Morning, Afternoon or Night
Afternoon
Q: Sweet or spicy foods
Spicy
Q: Read, Watch TV or Listen to music to relax
Reading
Q: Iphone or Android
I actually have both
Q: Native, Formal or Casual clothes
Casual
Q: Window seat or aisle on a plane
Window
Q: Europe, Asia or North America to visit
America
Q: Going out or staying home
Staying at home

Q: Please can you give us 3 people that we can interviews as well
I will let you know
Q: Please can you give some advice to the young people coming behind you
In their quest for wealth, they should be careful in the part they follow. There is dignity in honest hard work.