I earn my own money – Raheem Okoya says

Raheem Okoya, son of billionaire industrialist Rasaq Okoya, has asserted his financial independence, stressing that he earns his own income and has successfully attracted investors to support his music career

In an interview with BBC News Yoruba, Raheem, an aspiring musician and corporate executive, addressed public assumptions about his wealth, clarifying that his lifestyle and creative ventures are funded through his own efforts, not solely his father’s fortune.

“I earn my own money. I have a salary. People are investing in my music because they believe in what I’m doing,” he said, noting that he has secured independent backers for his musical pursuits.

Raheem credited his commitment to self-reliance to the values his father instilled in him. “My dad wasn’t born rich. He worked for everything he has, and he wants us to understand that we must also build, not just spend,” he explained.

He added that his decade-long preparation for his current corporate role was driven by mentorship rather than instant privilege. “I’ve been learning and preparing for this position for about 10 years. I’ve followed my dad closely and studied the business,” Raheem said.

Despite his achievements, holding a high-level position at a young age comes with scrutiny and pressure. “It’s definitely challenging. It’s a heavy responsibility. People already look at you. You’re young. They already want to doubt you. You always have to prove that you know what you’re talking about,” he admitted.

Raheem’s passion for music was nurtured in a household where Fuji legend King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal frequently visited, yet even this pursuit has attracted misleading media narratives. He expressed frustration at being misrepresented in the press.

“I don’t like fake news. I hate fake news. It cuts in my head. The media likes to put me up as a villain. They know what gets people riled up and moving. It’s not always the truth,” he said. “They will take a little thing or completely change the narrative and perspective on me. It’s not nice. It’s painful.”

“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,” he concluded.