 |
| Image: Google |
Managing Director of NG Clearing Limited, Farooq Oreagba, has revealed that his tattoos and earrings have, at times, cost him important career opportunities within Nigeria’s corporate environment.
Oreagba, who gained widespread public attention after a viral appearance at the 2024 Ojude Oba festival in Ijebu-Ode—where he was seen riding a horse with a cigar and visible tattoos—said the moment changed how many people in the corporate world perceive him.
The viral clip earned him the nickname “King of Steeze” online, turning him into an unexpected cultural icon. While many Nigerians celebrated his confidence and individuality, he said the attention also intensified scrutiny within the financial sector where he works.
Speaking on a recent episode of the MENtality podcast, Oreagba explained that the public fascination with his lifestyle has created both admiration and professional complications.
“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.”
He said the image that went viral was not new to him personally, but the scale of attention it received brought unintended consequences, especially in conservative corporate circles.
According to him, his appearance—particularly his tattoos and earrings—has long been a subject of discussion in professional settings, sometimes affecting how seriously he is taken.
“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 one. They judge me terribly,” he said.
Oreagba added that while he has built a successful career in finance, his personal style has occasionally influenced decisions around his professional advancement.
“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,” he explained.
He further noted the tension between personal identity and corporate expectations, saying that even in leadership positions, perceptions still matter.
“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,” he said.
Oreagba questioned the double standards he believes exist in professional environments, pointing out that his qualifications and conduct have remained consistent despite his appearance.
“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?” he asked.
Beyond his corporate identity, Oreagba has also spoken publicly about surviving a bone cancer diagnosis a decade ago, which he says significantly changed his outlook on life and priorities.
That experience, he noted previously, made him more intentional about living freely and authentically, regardless of societal expectations.
The annual Ojude Oba festival, where he gained viral fame, continues to be a major cultural event in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, celebrating Yoruba heritage, tradition, and community pride.
#FarooqOreagba
#NollywoodTimes
#TrendingNow
No comments:
Post a Comment