The Okoya family responds to Fatai Okoya’s public remarks, outlines support from Rasaq Okoya and urges the public to respect its privacy
Okoya Family Reacts to Fatai Okoya’s Public Remarks, Seeks Privacy
The family of billionaire industrialist Aare Rasaq Okoya has responded to recent public remarks by Fatai Okoya, describing the situation as a private family matter that should not be debated on social media.
In a statement dated October 22, 2026, and signed by Mr Nathaniel Omeninwan, Senior Public Relations Manager of Eleganza Industry Ltd., the family expressed regret over what it described as the decision to bring internal family issues into the public domain.
The statement, issued on behalf of the Okoya family, alleged that Fatai, identified as the industrialist’s third child, had made the matter public in a bid to attract sympathy and discredit other members of the family.
According to the family, the disagreement between Fatai and his father predated the latter’s marriage to Chief Mrs Shade Okoya, MON.
The statement further claimed that Aare Okoya had, on several occasions, publicly maintained that his children were expected to respect his wishes and decisions.
Family outlines support allegedly provided to Fatai
The Okoya family also sought to clarify what it described as the extent of the industrialist’s financial and material support for his son.
According to the statement, Fatai has benefited substantially from his father’s generosity and continues to receive support.
The family alleged that Aare Okoya provided him with four flats in Ogunlana, Surulere, and had, on some occasions, paid his medical bills.
It also recalled an intervention more than 40 years ago, when four influential family friends reportedly held an overnight meeting to resolve the disagreement between father and son.
The statement said the friends eventually advised Aare Okoya to grant Fatai’s request, adding that the arrangement was subsequently implemented.
However, the statement did not specify the nature of the request or provide further details about the settlement.
Family clarifies incident at 86th birthday medical outreach
The statement also addressed an encounter involving Fatai and Chief Mrs Shade Okoya during a medical outreach organised to mark Aare Okoya’s 86th birthday.
According to the family, Chief Mrs Okoya was introduced to Fatai at the event, after which another family member advised him against using the occasion to discuss his grievances with his father.
The statement said Fatai agreed with the advice and subsequently left the venue.
It further maintained that Chief Mrs Okoya merely exchanged pleasantries with Fatai and did not make any other remarks to him during the encounter.
The family added that several guests witnessed the incident, presenting its account as a clarification of the circumstances surrounding the meeting.
Okoya family appeals for privacy
Reaffirming its preference for a private family life, the statement described Aare Okoya, his wife and the wider family as private individuals focused on their businesses, family responsibilities and charitable activities.
It also stated that Chief Mrs Okoya respects her husband and his wishes, while insisting that family disagreements should not be turned into public disputes.
“No misunderstanding can be settled online,” the statement declared, underscoring the family’s position that personal disagreements should be addressed through direct communication rather than social media.
The family consequently appealed to members of the public and the media to respect its privacy and refrain from turning the matter into a public controversy.
It also urged any family member wishing to raise concerns with Aare Okoya to approach him privately through what it described as the appropriate family channels.
The statement was signed by Mr Nathaniel Omeninwan, Senior Public Relations Manager of Eleganza Industry Ltd., on behalf of the Okoya family, and dated October 22, 2026.
