Shade, the wife of Nigerian billionaire industrialist Razak Okoya, has shared her thoughts on marrying young and how it has shaped her life.
Speaking in a recent interview with BBC Yoruba, the businesswoman and socialite, now 48, said marrying her husband at the age of 21 was a decision she does not regret.
Reflecting on her marriage journey, Shade noted that being the wife of a much older man has brought her peace, happiness, and fulfilment. She said her marriage has not stopped her from enjoying or experiencing any part of life.
“My husband has been very generous to me and defends me everywhere. God said this is where I will be. We met each other, and he liked me,” she said.
Now a familiar name in Nigeria’s high society, Shade married Chief Razak Okoya in 1999. At the time, the industrialist was already a well-known name in business circles and significantly older. Despite the age gap, their relationship has remained strong over the years.
“I’m happy in my marriage to him. He is far older than me, but I don’t think I ever missed out on anything because I didn’t marry a younger man. I remember when he expressed his interest in me – it was straightforward, and he got down to business by meeting my parents and doing the needful in no time,” she recalled.
Shade, who was just stepping into adulthood at the time of the marriage, said she had no doubts about the union. She noted that Razak Okoya treated her with kindness and respect right from the beginning. She described him as someone who has always stood by her.
