Raheem Okoya, the 22‑year‑old son of Nigerian billionaire industrialist Chief Razaq Okoya, has publicly denied claims that his lifestyle and career are funded by his father’s wealth, insisting that he earns his own money and has secured investors backing his music career.
In an interview with BBC News Yoruba, the young executive director at Eleganza Industries addressed widespread public perceptions that his professional success and opportunities stem solely from his family’s fortune. Raheem made it clear that he receives a personal salary for his work and has attracted independent financial backers who believe in his music and artistic output.
“I work. I earn a salary. I have investors. People believe in my music and put money behind it,” he said, emphasizing that his income is the result of his own efforts and business activities rather than simply accessing inherited wealth.
Raheem explained that his current position at Eleganza was the result of years of preparation and mentorship under his father, who has insisted that his children learn financial discipline and the fundamentals of enterprise rather than depend on inheritance. He said he “has been learning this position my whole life,” describing a decade of experience shadowing his father and studying the business before taking on leadership responsibilities.
Despite his claims of independence, Raheem acknowledged that public scrutiny remains a challenge. At a young age, he said, people tend to doubt his capabilities and assume his success is merely a product of his family’s status. He criticized certain media narratives that he described as misleading or designed to provoke controversy, saying such coverage can be “painful” and not always reflective of the truth.
Beyond his corporate role, Raheem also spoke about his passion for music, influenced by his upbringing where the sounds of Fuji legend King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (K1 De Ultimate) were a constant presence. He reiterated his desire to make his father proud, highlighting the personal importance of both commercial success and familial respect.
Raheem’s comments come amid ongoing public interest in how children of influential Nigerians navigate their careers, particularly when balancing personal ambition with public expectations. His insistence on financial independence provides insight into a young figure striving to define his own identity in the public eye.
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