Raheem Okoya, son of Nigerian industrialist Rasaq Okoya, has rejected claims that he depends on his father’s fortune for his lifestyle and career.
In an interview with BBC News Yoruba, Raheem, who is an Executive Director at Eleganza Industries, said he earns his own salary and has attracted independent investors to back his music projects.
“I work. I have a salary that I earn. I have investors. People believe in my music and put money behind it,” he said.
Raheem explained that his current role at Eleganza is the result of years of preparation under his father’s guidance. He said he has spent about a decade learning from Rasaq Okoya, who founded the Eleganza group from the ground up.
“I’ve been learning this position my whole life. From when I was in school, I’ve been shadowing my dad. It’s not an overnight thing. It’s been 10 years in the making,” he said.
He also described how his upbringing exposed him to music and business. Raheem mentioned that the sound of Fuji legend King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal was a familiar presence in his home.
“K1 is a legend. He used to ring in the corridors of my house,” he said.
Despite his assertions of independence, Raheem acknowledged that public perception remains a challenge. “It’s definitely challenging. It’s a heavy responsibility. People already look at you. You’re young. They already want to doubt you,” he said.
He spoke about his relationship with his father, calling him a mentor. “I love my dad so much. He’s my number one hero, my mentor. I just hope I can really, really make him proud one day,” Raheem said.
Raheem also criticised what he described as misleading media narratives about his life. “I don’t like fake news. I hate fake news. The media likes to put me up as a villain… It’s not always the truth,” he said.
Last year, Raheem and his brother were drawn into controversy when a video of them spraying bundles of N1,000 notes in a music promotion clip went viral online. The incident led to an invitation from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for questioning over alleged naira abuse.
The video sparked widespread criticism on social media as many Nigerians condemned the act as disrespectful to the national currency and questioned accountability.
In a separate interview in 2025, Raheem also said all the money he has is from his own effort and not his father’s wealth. “Every penny in my bank account today is based on what I do — my sweat,” he said.
