In a revealing interview with BBC News Yoruba, the Executive Director of Eleganza Industries opened up about his career, lifestyle, and the pressures of being a young heir in the public eye. He emphasized that his life is powered by hard work, ambition, and independent initiatives, not merely inheritance.
“I’m not just spending the chairman’s money; I work. I earn a salary. I have investors. People believe in my music and put money behind it,” Raheem said.
LEARNING THE ROPES
Raheem explained that his journey into business leadership has been a decade in the making. From his school days, he shadowed his father, learning the intricacies of entrepreneurship, corporate management, and financial discipline.
“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,” he stated.
He added that Chief Razaq Okoya, who built the Eleganza empire from scratch, deliberately instilled values of hard work, wealth creation, and financial responsibility in his children.
“My dad wasn’t born rich. He wants us to work and build a fortune rather than just spend and destroy,” Raheem said.
Despite the exposure, Raheem admits that youth and perception remain challenges in Nigeria’s corporate space. “People already want to doubt you. You always have to prove that you know what you’re talking about,” he noted.
SIRAHEEM: MAKING MUSIC, BUILDING A BRAND
Outside the boardroom, Raheem is also carving a name as an Afrobeats artiste under the stage name Siraheem. His music blends personal experience with cultural commentary, confronting assumptions about privilege while expressing his own creativity.
His recent single, “TRU$T FUND”, featuring Teni, Yosa, and Big Fish, has been trending across streaming platforms and social media. He has teased upcoming collaborations and live performances in Lagos, positioning himself as an emerging artist who blends culture and innovation rather than merely reacting to it.
“Music is a way to express myself and show people there’s more to me than just my last name,” Raheem said.
Siraheem’s influence extends beyond music, with fashion and lifestyle recognition, including a July 2025 digital cover of STYLEPRO and performances at Lagos’ Livespot Entertarium.
Navigating Scrutiny and Upholding Legacy
Raheem openly discussed the pressure to make his father proud while facing public scrutiny.
“I love my dad so much. He’s my number one hero. I just hope I can really make him proud one day,” he said.
He also criticized media misrepresentation, stressing the challenge of dealing with narratives designed for clicks.
“The media likes to put me up as a villain. They know what gets people riled up. It’s painful when they change the narrative about me,” he added.
From the Eleganza boardroom to the Afrobeats stage, Raheem Okoya is proving that being a young, rich heir does not define him. His journey reflects ambition, responsibility, and the pursuit of personal legacy, redefining what it means to be young, wealthy, and driven in Nigeria today.