Fatai Okoya, who identifies himself as the first son of billionaire businessman Chief Razaq Okoya, has appealed to his father for forgiveness and reconciliation after more than four decades of estrangement.
Mr Fatai made the appeal during a TikTok Live session with blogger Yeye Kudi Court Room, where he recounted what he believes contributed to the breakdown of their relationship, including a dispute over money and his decision to marry a woman his father reportedly disapproved of.
Mr Fatai said the disagreement began when he was younger and allegedly took a small amount of money from his father’s company.
He argued that the amount involved was not substantial enough to justify the prolonged separation, insisting that he had not embezzled a significant sum.
“I did not embezzle much money; if it was much, I would have built houses and bought planes and cars,” he said in Yoruba.
He also attributed part of the disagreement to his decision to marry a woman his father reportedly opposed.
According to him, he was young and in love when he made the decision, but he now regrets the circumstances that contributed to the strained relationship.
‘I have tried to make peace for 40 years’
Mr Fatai said he had made repeated attempts to reconcile with his father over the years but had struggled to gain access to him.
“I have tried to make peace for 40 years,” he said, expressing his desire for another opportunity to meet and reconnect with the industrialist.
He also said family members and some of his father’s friends had attempted to intervene, but their efforts had not resulted in a lasting resolution.
Mr Fatai described the prolonged separation as emotionally painful, adding that he wanted to rebuild his relationship with his father and live peacefully with his family.
Recounts encounter at Father’s 86th birthday
Mr Fatai also recounted an alleged encounter at his father’s 86th birthday celebration on 12 January 2026, which he said was one of his attempts to reconnect with the businessman.
He claimed he attended the event as an invitee and was initially welcomed before attempting to approach his father.
According to Mr Fatai, Mrs Shade Okoya, his father’s wife, stopped him and told him he could not approach the industrialist without prior notification and approval.
He alleged that his father recognised him but did not say anything before he returned to his seat.
Mr Fatai’s account of the incident has not been independently verified.
Appeals for forgiveness
Mr Fatai said he had no intention of remaining at odds with his father, insisting that he loved him and wanted the opportunity to make amends.
He also maintained that he had not deliberately set out to damage his father’s reputation and wanted the family dispute resolved.
His appeal comes amid renewed public attention to the family life of Razaq Okoya, founder of the Eleganza Group, a prominent Nigerian manufacturing company.
As of the time of the reports, Razaq Okoya had not publicly responded to Mr Fatai’s latest appeal.
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