Razaq Okoya Vows Shade's Kids Won't Fail Like Older Siblings in Legacy Push
Nigerian billionaire Razaq Okoya, at 79, confronts the fragility of his empire's future with raw determination. In a candid interview, he declares his unyielding commitment to his four children with wife Shade Okoya, vowing they will not repeat the missteps of their older half-siblings."
I don’t want my children with Shade Okoya to fail like their senior ones," Okoya stated firmly, outlining his blueprint for their success. He emphasized two pillars: experience and the virtues of focus, honesty, determination, and punctuality.
Even as one daughter trains in Europe, he insists on grounding her in local realities, summoning her home regularly to witness the factory operations firsthand." They hold the future. 79 years old, I have to pass it on to them. I don’t want them to fail like their senior ones. Number one is the experience.
Number two, they have to learn how to be focused, honest, determined and punctual. One of my daughters has been training in Europe, but it has to be local ideas. We take her to the factory to see what we are doing. But that’s a different level playing ground. We already have everything for them here. We’re going to build everything for ourselves.
I have to know your people, so we bring her home regularly to see what we’re doing and how to be done," he explained. Okoya's words reveal a father's haunting regret over past family fractures, contrasted sharply with his pride in Shade and their shared triumphs.
He credits his wife of 20 years with fortifying his conglomerate, Eleganza, where she arrives at 7am and departs at 7pm, overseeing operations with tireless vigor." Shade was the one who consolidated my empire. She walked in and solidified everything you see today… Shade goes to the factory by 7am and comes back by 7pm.
She is in charge of everything you see in Eleganza… Shade decorates my home and maintains it. I don’t know how she does it. I just walk in and see my home like this… I have been married to Shade for 20 years. She gave me 4 beautiful children. They are good children. They are not like the rest…"
Shade emerges as the empire's steadfast anchor, her influence extending to nurturing their children whom Okoya describes as smart and close-knit. He holds them near to prevent them straying, imparting hands-on skills like engineering and carpentry over mere academics—essentials he deems vital for sustaining the business amid technological shifts."
I am holding these younger ones (Shade’s children) close so they don’t go astray like the older ones… I will never take my company public. I will keep it in the family. My eldest daughter (by Shade) is schooling in Europe, but Shade and I bring her to Nigeria to see how the business works so she can take over…
I hope she will not make a mistake like other children… I am teaching my children (by Shade) experience and skill. Handwork, engineering, and carpentry are valuable skills. I need them more in my company, even more than an accountant. Technology can do that, but man needs to still man machines. I am teaching my children that.
They will take over from me and Shade…" Yet shadows linger from the older generation's troubles.
Last year, sons Subomi and Wahab faced scrutiny from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over a viral video showing them spraying naira notes—a clear violation of Section 21(3) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007, with a police officer holding stacks of currency.
A week ago, their son Raheem, 23rd among Okoya's 26 children from 9 women, hailed his father as a 'striker,' noting the firstborn nears 60. In response to such storms, the family projects unity. Shade shared photos of their Eid Mubarak celebration with President Tinubu, marking a Salah gathering amid the scandal's aftermath.
Earlier, in 2023, Shade professed profound love and respect for Okoya, calling him her backbone and pledging unwavering loyalty for her lineage. Brighter moments punctuate the narrative: Okoya and Shade joined a TikTok challenge, swapping outfits in a display of enduring affection that captivated the internet.
Two years prior, Shade made waves by showering a young lad with a bundle of cash at an event, earning her the affectionate title 'Rich Aunty of Lagos' from admirers. Okoya reflects on broader challenges, selling properties across Nigeria to fuel factory growth amid a saturated market where young salary earners struggle to buy homes.
Now embracing technology through his children's guidance, he remains resolute: the empire stays family-held, with Shade's heirs poised to elevate it." I have properties all over Nigeria, but the market is getting saturated now. Many people are in it. The young salary earners cannot afford homes now. I sell some of them to put in the factory.
I hope my children will manage them better when they are done with school… I am learning technology now, but I have left most of it to my children. I like them around me. They teach me a lot of things. My children with Shade are smart…"
Through triumph and trial, Okoya's story pulses with a patriarch's fierce love—shielding his youngest from pitfalls, leaning on Shade's strength, and betting everything on a legacy reborn.
