LAGOS (FN) Chief Razaq Akanni Okoya, the Aare of Lagos and founder of Eleganza Industrial City Limited, has reflected on the generational differences shaping business in Nigeria, admitting that many of his older children prefer to chart their own course rather than join his industrial empire.
“Children of nowadays have their own ideas. They are not listening to you. They want to do it their own way,” Okoya said, noting that while some succeed independently, many benefit more when they follow a structured family or industrial background.
The billionaire industrialist revealed that this difference in mindset has created challenges within his own family. “I have a big problem because many of my senior boys and girls don’t want to follow me. They want to do things on their own. Good luck to them,” he admitted.
Okoya, who built his fortune through manufacturing and real estate, often recalls his early experiences in his father’s tailoring shop as the foundation of his entrepreneurial journey. Selling buttons and sewing accessories as a boy gave him clarity about his future path and instilled in him a business mindset. He has consistently credited both his late father and mother for their support, emphasizing that he has no regrets about the upbringing that prepared him for success.
Despite the challenges of succession, Okoya stressed his lifelong dedication to industry and his desire to be remembered for his contributions to manufacturing and enterprise development. He said his focus remains on sustaining and expanding his industrial legacy for future generations, underscoring his belief in continuity, discipline, and the importance of building structures that outlast individual ambition.
