Nigerian entrepreneur and billionaire’s wife Shade Okoya has shared the captivating story of how she met her husband, Chief Rasaq Okoya. The 47-year-old mother of four opened up about their unconventional courtship, shedding light on the swift proposal that led to their enduring union.
Speaking with Channels Television at their lavish Lagos estate last Tuesday, Shade Okoya recalled the serendipitous nature of their first meeting. “When I met my husband, it was not a typical kind of meeting,” she reminisced, her eyes twinkling with the memory. “I met him for a different purpose entirely, it was more work-related.”
Little did she know that this casual encounter would set the stage for a life-changing romance. Chief Okoya, it seems, had other plans from the moment he laid eyes on the young Shade.
Their second meeting, arranged at Chief Okoya’s insistence, took an unexpected turn that left Shade momentarily speechless. “He said ‘I would like to marry you,'” she recounted, still seeming amazed by the directness of the proposal. “Which to me was too soon and too sudden because I wasn’t expecting anything like that.”
This straightforward approach, while surprising, was perfectly in character for the successful businessman. As Shade later learned, “It was later on I got to know that he actually wanted a wife immediately.
In a twist that seems almost scripted, one of Chief Okoya’s friends present at that fateful second meeting turned out to be Shade’s uncle. This unexpected family connection would prove instrumental in navigating the traditional courtship process.
“Two days later, I saw the man in my grandmother’s house,” Shade explained, describing how her uncle had taken it upon himself to inform her family of Chief Okoya’s intentions. The news was met with enthusiasm, particularly from her grandmother. “She was so happy and said God has finally answered her prayer,” Shade recalled, her voice warm with affection.
The involvement of Shade’s mother added another layer to this whirlwind romance. Chief Okoya, demonstrating his commitment, took the initiative to meet with her directly. “Chairman had already invited my mum even without me being there,” Shade shared, using the affectionate title by which she refers to her husband.
This meeting proved pivotal, as Shade’s mother encouraged her to consider the match. “My mum just said I should please consider him, he’s a man that will take care of me, he liked me, he wanted me,” Shade recounted, her tone reflecting the weight of that maternal advice.
Now, 25 years into their marriage, Shade looks back on those early days with a sense of wonder and gratitude. “I feel very privileged now, looking back because I think God just used him in my life,” she mused. The speed and intensity of Chief Okoya’s pursuit, which might have seemed overwhelming at the time, now appear to her as signs of divine intervention.
He went all out like a typical Nigerian man,” Shade said with a smile. “He did it the traditional way of coming to ask for my hand.”
As the interview drew to a close, Shade Okoya’s eyes shone with the contentment of a woman who has found her place in the world. The unconventional start to their relationship has blossomed into a partnership that has not only endured but thrived over a quarter of a century.
Their story serves as a testament to the unpredictable nature of love and the enduring power of traditional values in modern Nigerian society. As they celebrate this milestone anniversary, the Okoyas continue to be a beacon of inspiration for couples across the nation.
Shade Okoya’s revelations offer a rare glimpse into the private life of one of Nigeria’s most prominent couples. From a chance work-related encounter to a swift proposal and family negotiations, their love story defies conventional norms while ultimately reinforcing the importance of family ties and cultural traditions in Nigerian matchmaking.
