Why my billionaire father has rejected me for decades — Fatai Okoya

Fatai Okoya, son of Nigerian billionaire industrialist Razaq Okoya, has opened up on what he believes caused the decades-long rift between them.

He spoke on TikTok Live with YeyeKudi Courtroom on Sunday, after publicly asking his father for forgiveness and a chance to reconcile.

In the video posted on YeyeKudi Courtroom’s page on Monday, Fatai said his father’s rejection had been a painful experience. He also said he was Mr Okoya’s first child.

Speaking about the circumstances he believes contributed to their troubled relationship, he said: “My daddy held on to one thing: he did not want me to marry the first woman I married, but I did not listen to him. I went ahead and married her. I was young, had spent a long time abroad, and thought I understood how love could make someone behave. That was why I fell into that trap and married her.

“After that, I could not think of anything serious enough that I had done to make him angry with me, apart from a few minor things I did while managing his industries. I did not embezzle much money because, if I had, I would have built houses, bought an aeroplane, and acquired other [possessions]. If anyone says I embezzled money from the industries, perhaps it was a small amount I made through my work there, not a substantial sum. I did not even buy cars while managing the industries.”

“Once best friends”

Fatai said he and his father were once best friends, adding that he hoped his father would forgive him for his past actions.

He attributed his behaviour to youthful indiscretion, noting that although making mistakes is human, forgiveness is divine.

“Now that I am older, I appeal to him to use his wisdom as an elder to accept me back so that we can resolve this matter and restore our relationship to what it used to be, or even make it better. When I was younger, my father and I wore each other’s clothes and shoes, among other things. Whenever he saw me wearing his clothes, he was happy.

“He took me with him to Italy, London and other parts of Europe, where he showed me how things were done in the industries. As his first child, I was always by his side. I am surprised that something like this could happen despite everything we shared. I could no longer reach him through the usual channels, so I resorted to social media. Please help me beg my daddy,” he said.

“I love my father”

Fatai added that the rift with his father had taken an emotional toll, leaving him drained and weak.

He said family members, including his father’s friends, had tried to resolve the dispute, but their efforts yielded no result.

“The situation has reached a point where he cuts ties with anyone who takes the matter seriously and tries to intervene. I do not understand the kind of anger he still harbours against me. I cannot say that my aunt, my brothers and everyone else have never offended him, yet he has forgiven them. Why is my own case different?

“What have I done to him? I have not tarnished his name or done anything illegal. I am not a fraudster, and I do not belong to any social clubs because I prefer to keep to myself rather than associate with people. I want to be with my family and live a peaceful life. I love my father, and I have nothing against him. He is the one who is angry with me; I do not consider myself in a position to be angry with my father.”

Fatai also said his greatest desire was for God to change his father’s heart and make reconciliation possible.

“Attempts to resolve the dispute”

Reflecting on his efforts to settle the matter privately, Fatai said he had repeatedly tried to contact his father but was often unable to meet with him.

He explained that whenever he was denied access, he preferred to walk away rather than risk a confrontation or create further problems.

Fatai added that he sometimes relied on his father’s friends to intervene, noting that they genuinely tried to bring both parties together. However, he said the situation deteriorated after some time.

“The last time I saw my father was on 12 January 2026. He was celebrating his 86th birthday at Oluwanishola. I went as an invitee because it was my father’s birthday, and I felt I had to attend. I was given a VIP welcome, and I sat in front.

“My aunty, Wasilat, came to meet me where I was sitting. She took me to my seat. She said they had already informed my father that I was around and told me not to worry. I told them I came in peace and asked them to please inform my father that I was there.”

READ ALSO: ‘Please forgive me’: Fatai Okoya begs billionaire father after 40 years apart

“Father’s wife”

Fatai recounted that he tried to approach his father at his 86th birthday celebration, but Sade, his father’s wife, allegedly sent him back.

“When my father arrived, there were bodyguards everywhere. I waited for him to go to the stage before attempting to greet him. However, when I tried to approach the stage, his wife, Sade Okoya, stopped me, saying I couldn’t see my father like that. She said they had to inform him before I could see him.

“My father had nothing to say. So, I had to turn back and return to my seat. He saw me and recognised me, but Sade had already decided that I should leave. My father could not say much because Sade had already spoken. He kept quiet, as though Sade was in control.”

PREMIUM TIMES could not independently confirm Fatai’s claim to be Mr Okoya’s first child as of press time. The newspaper found no verifiable information to support his assertion.

He has also not disclosed his mother’s identity. He omitted her name from his initial letter and did not identify her during his TikTok Live session. This newspaper’s checks found no reliable public information identifying her.

As of the time of this report, Mr Okoya, the father, had not publicly responded to the letter or the live session.