Razaq Okoya, the founder of Eleganza Industrial City Limited, has opened up on how his late father’s guidance played a decisive role in shaping his success story.
In an interview that surfaced online on Wednesday, the Lagos-based industrialist explained that his introduction to business started early in life under his father, who combined tailoring with the sale of sewing materials.
Okoya revealed that although he had some level of formal education, his father ensured he spent more time learning the trade, keeping him actively engaged in the shop rather than focusing solely on school.
Through selling buttons and other tailoring accessories, he said he gradually developed a strong interest in fashion and entrepreneurship, which later defined his career path.
“Right from my youth, I determine what I want to be. My father is a tailor, and he sells tailoring materials. I went to school, but my father didn’t allow me much, because I have to be in his shop, keep on doing tailoring, selling buttons and everything.”
According to him, those early experiences helped him identify his purpose quickly and build a thriving business without regrets.
“From there I get my fashion. From there I specialise in what I want to do in life and I’ve done it very successfully. I have no regret at all. I thank him so much, and with my mother’s support.So these have been helping me quite a lot.”
The businessman also pointed to a shift among younger people, noting that many now prefer independence over parental advice, even though the path can be challenging.
“But Children of nowadays, they have their own ideas. They hardly listen to you. They want to do it their own way, which is not really working. Some are working, but not all, unless most of them who have a very good children background, an industrial background, they have to follow their parents to grow, But to be on your own now and start growing into the economy is not easy,” he added.
