Raheem Okoya, the son of billionaire industrialist Razaq Okoya, says he does not just spend his dad’s money but works and earns a salary.
Raheem, who is the executive director of Eleganza Industrial City Limited, spoke about carving his own path in business during an interview with BBC News Yoruba.
The singer also dismissed perceptions that his achievements come automatically from his father’s wealth, adding that he spent years learning the job under Okoya’s guidance.
“Being my father’s child alone didn’t bring me here. I have been learning for this position since I was in school. I have been shadowing my dad,” he said.
“It is not an overnight success. It has been 10 years in the making. I don’t just spend Chairman’s money. I work. I like money a lot. I have a salary that I earn.”
The 22-year-old, who balances a career in music with a role at his father’s company, also spoke about the weight of his responsibilities.
He acknowledged that his youth often invites scepticism from those who doubt his capabilities.
‘It is a heavy responsibility. People already look at you and want to doubt you because you’re young. So you always have to prove yourself that you know what you’re doing,” he said.
Raheem also accused the Nigerian media of deliberately painting him in a negative light to provoke public backlash.
“I hate fake news. You know, but that is media in the 24th century. They know what gets people riled up. It is not always the truth,” he said.
“They like to villainise me. The media like to make people hate me and I don’t like that. They would take a little thing and completely change the narrative about me. It is not nice. It is painful.”
