Farooq Oreagba, the managing director of NG Clearing
Limited, has revealed that rocking tattoos and earrings cost him some career
opportunities in Nigeria’s corporate sector.
Oreagba became the “King of Steeze” in June 2024 after
photos and videos of him riding a horse at the Ojude Oba festival, an annual
cultural event in Ijebu-Ode, went viral on social media. Nigerians online were
under the sway of his avuncular handsomeness, cigar sticks, and sleeve-length
tattoos, and he dominated the trend table for days. The viral moment made the
60-year-old banker a cultural icon, with numerous appearances across fashion,
film, and entertainment.
Recounting the experience on the latest episode of the
MENtality podcast, Oreagba narrated how the viral moment subjected him to
scrutiny in the Nigerian financial sector because of his non-conforming
appearance.
“I’m a banker, I’ve been a banker all my life. I studied
civil engineering. I’m the CEO of a financial institution,” he said.
“There was this viral moment two years ago when someone took
a photograph of me doing what I have been doing for 16,17 years now, and it
changed my life.”
“I would say I’m probably the only ceo in corporate Nigeria
that wears earrings and has tattoos. That has been a problem from day dot. They
judge me terribly,” he said.
“To a certain extent, it has cost me certain roles, certain
positions. My side hustle for me has given me an extreme amount of freedom.
More importantly, an extreme amount of self-satisfaction.
“It’s a big issue trying to juggle. Even in my corporate
role, I sit on a board, and people tell me that the image of a CEO of a
financial services firm riding horses and flashing tattoos is not what we want.
“Guys, what do you want? When you hired me, I had tattoos,
and when you hired me, I was smoking a cigar. Is it just bad belle or the fact
that you don’t want me to have the freedom?”
In 2024, Oreagba revealed how a bone cancer diagnosis 10
years prior changed his priorities in life.
The 2026 Ojude Oba was held on Thursday, marking another
round of cultural aplomb.
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