By Oghenovo Egodo-Michael
In Nigeria’s high society circles, few women wear their crown with as much quiet strength and grace as Folashade, the wife of billionaire industrialist, Razaq Okoya. While much has been said about her beauty, poise, and fashion-forward presence, Shade is the true matriarch holding down both the empire and her husband’s affairs.
Her admirers have described her as the quintessential “true wife” and “mother”, a role she exhibits daily in the way she carries her husband and children along. Now in his mid-80s, her husband stands as a towering figure in Nigeria’s business history—an accomplished entrepreneur whose vision and tenacity transformed the Eleganza Group into a manufacturing powerhouse and cemented his place as one of the nation’s industrial icons.
But in this chapter of his life, it is Shade who has gracefully stepped into the vital role of caregiver, confidante, and protector. At public engagements, her attention to him is constant and tender. She looks out for him in the smallest but most meaningful ways—making sure he has all he needs, that his outfit is perfectly in place and his seat arranged for comfort. Whether guiding him gently through a crowd or engaging warmly with guests while keeping an eye on him, she is very present.
Married since the early 2000s, Shade has spent more than two decades by his side not just as his wife, but as a strategic partner in sustaining the Eleganza legacy.
She has also helped usher in a new wave of family involvement, empowering their sons to take on leadership roles and inject fresh energy into the fold.
Her children are not just present but driving the operations of the family’s industrial empire, bringing a dynamic approach to branding and marketing. They have embraced modern tools, using social media and digital platforms to reposition the brand for a new era. Campaigns that once leaned heavily on traditional advertising now feature stylish visuals, influencer partnerships, and even Gen Z-friendly content, making the family’s products appealing to a broader, younger audience.
