Businessman and investment executive, Farooq Oreagba, popularly known as “Mr Steeze,” has shared the remarkable story of how he went from being a dollar millionaire at the age of 30 to working as a labourer in England just five years later after losing his job as a banker.
Oreagba, who became a household name following his viral appearance at the 2024 Ojude Oba Festival, said the dramatic turn in his fortunes taught him that life, health and relationships are more valuable than money or social status.
He made the revelation during an appearance on the MENtality show hosted by media personality Ebuka Obi-Uchendu and co-hosted by singer and entrepreneur Banky W. The episode, posted on Ebuka’s YouTube channel on Friday, focused on wealth, materialism and the things that truly matter in life.
During the discussion, Oreagba challenged Ebuka to think about how much value people place on money.
“How much is money to you? Give me a number. Just pick a number. A billion dollars?” he asked.
Ebuka responded that he was not seeking satisfaction from money alone.
Oreagba then continued with another question.
“If I gave you $10 million now, what would you say?”
Responding humorously, Ebuka said, “What would I say? I would call you from Miami to thank you.”
Oreagba, however, introduced a different perspective by asking whether Ebuka would still accept the money if receiving it meant having only 24 hours left to live.
“If I told you, you can have it, but not live more than 24 hours, what would you do?” he asked.
Ebuka replied that the offer would not be worth accepting.
“I mean, I could make $10 million, so it’s not worth it,” he said.
Using the exchange to explain his philosophy about life, Oreagba said the conversation showed that life itself is far more valuable than money.
“Right. So then all of a sudden, living actually has a lot of value to it,” he said.
He then surprised the hosts by revealing that he had experienced both great wealth and financial hardship within a short period.
“I was a dollar millionaire at 30. At 35, I was working as a labourer,” he disclosed.
When asked where he worked as a labourer, Oreagba simply replied: “In England.”
The businessman explained that his financial difficulties began after he lost his banking job while pursuing another dream.
According to him, he struggled to maintain the luxurious lifestyle he had become accustomed to, taking on different kinds of work to survive.
“I had a dream, something I wanted to do, and I lost my job as a banker. And to maintain that lifestyle, I was hustling, doing all kinds of things, but nobody saw it. The Porsches were still outside. I had my priorities wrong,” he said.
Oreagba admitted that, despite facing financial challenges, he continued to project an image of wealth, a decision he now believes reflected misplaced priorities.
His experience, he said, transformed his understanding of success and taught him that many people spend too much time chasing money while neglecting the things that truly matter.
According to him, wealth alone cannot guarantee happiness or fulfilment.
He said his outlook on life changed completely after going through difficult times and realising that health and life itself are priceless.
“I’m going to be 60 next month, and my lifestyle has not changed. All that has happened is a viral photo brought me to everybody’s attention,” he said.
Oreagba noted that his sudden fame did not alter the way he lives because his personal values had already been shaped by years of experience, including both success and hardship.
He stressed that people often focus too much on acquiring material possessions instead of appreciating good health and meaningful relationships.
“We place value on the wrong things,” he said.
He added: “I’ve said this before, you may have 99 problems, but the minute you have a health problem, you only have one problem.”
The businessman’s remarks resonated with many viewers, especially as conversations around financial success, social media influence and materialism continue to dominate public discourse.
In recent years, many successful entrepreneurs and public figures have spoken openly about the pressures associated with maintaining a wealthy image, particularly in the age of social media where appearances often shape public perception.
Oreagba’s story highlights the reality that financial success is not always permanent and that personal setbacks can affect anyone, regardless of previous achievements.
His comments also underscore the importance of resilience, reminding people that setbacks do not necessarily define a person’s future.
Oreagba first attracted national and international attention during the 2024 Ojude Oba Festival in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, when photographs of him riding a horse in elegant traditional attire went viral across social media platforms.
His confident appearance, fashionable outfit and calm posture earned widespread admiration, with many Nigerians nicknaming him “Mr Steeze,” a popular expression used to describe confidence, elegance and effortless style.
The viral images quickly turned him into one of the most talked-about personalities in the country, leading to endorsement deals, media interviews and invitations to major events.
Since then, Oreagba has become a regular speaker at business, lifestyle and motivational events, where he shares lessons from his personal and professional journey.
Beyond his public image, he has also spoken openly about surviving cancer, using his experience to encourage people to place greater importance on their health and cherish every stage of life.
His latest revelations reinforce that message, suggesting that while wealth may come and go, life, good health and personal values remain far more important.