Born on 10 October 1959 in Ilorin, Kwara State, Hajia Bola Muinat Shagaya has become one of Nigeria’s most influential businesswomen and a respected patron of fashion and the arts. Over four decades, she has built a diversified business empire and inspired generations of entrepreneurs—especially women—who look to her as proof that discipline, innovation, and vision can break barriers.
Early Life and Education
Shagaya was born into a culturally rich family. Her father, Alhaji Saliman Batuta, was a prominent Yoruba Muslim, while her mother, Adut Makur, had roots in Sudan—a blend of heritage that gave Shagaya a cosmopolitan outlook from an early age.
She attended schools in Nigeria before earning a degree in Economics from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria. Later, she undertook further studies in business and finance in the United States—reports often mention Armstrong College in California—though public records do not clarify whether this was a formal degree or executive-level coursework. The combination of Nigerian and international training laid the foundation for her future in banking and business.
From Banker to Business Mogul
Shagaya’s professional life began in Nigeria’s banking sector, including a stint at the Central Bank of Nigeria. These early years deepened her understanding of finance and economic policy, skills that would prove vital as she pivoted to entrepreneurship.
In the early 1980s she founded Bolmus Group International, which grew into a diversified conglomerate with interests in oil and gas, real estate, banking, and photography. One of its key subsidiaries, Practoil Limited, became a major importer and distributor of base oil for lubricants—cementing Shagaya’s position as a significant player in Nigeria’s energy industry.
Beyond oil and gas, she invested heavily in real estate, developing high-value properties in Nigeria’s major cities. Her ventures in banking and photography further demonstrated her ability to identify profitable markets and adapt to changing economic climates.
Patron of Fashion and Culture
While she is celebrated for her business acumen, Hajia Bola Shagaya is equally renowned as a style icon and patron of Nigerian fashion. She serves as a patron of the Fashion Designers Association of Nigeria (FADAN), consistently supporting local designers and advocating for the global recognition of Nigerian craftsmanship. Her personal elegance and commitment to promoting African fashion have made her a cultural influencer well beyond business circles.
Family and Personal Life
Despite the demands of managing a large business empire, Shagaya is known for her deep commitment to family. She is married to Alhaji Shagaya, and together they have six children. Friends and colleagues often remark on her ability to balance her roles as a mother, wife, and corporate leader—a balance that reinforces her image as both a powerful executive and a devoted matriarch.
Legacy and Impact
Hajia Bola Shagaya’s life embodies the possibilities open to those with ambition and strategic vision. Her work has generated employment opportunities, driven economic growth, and inspired women across Africa to enter industries once considered the preserve of men.
She remains a key figure in Nigeria’s socio-economic landscape, not only for her wealth and influence but also for her role in elevating Nigerian fashion and proving that cultural identity can be a source of global recognition.
Current Status
As of today, Hajia Bola Shagaya is alive and continues to be active in business and philanthropy. There is no public record of her death; instead, she continues to mentor young entrepreneurs and play a visible role in Nigeria’s commercial and cultural sectors.
Sources
Forbes Africa – “Bola Shagaya: Nigeria’s Billionaire Businesswoman and Fashion Icon”
Vanguard Nigeria – “Profile of Hajia Bola Shagaya”
Hajia Bola Shagaya’s journey—from a banker in Ilorin to a billionaire business magnate and fashion patron—remains a compelling example of how determination and strategic vision can shape not only personal success but also the economic and cultural identity of a nation.
Nollywood icon Genevieve Nnaji has fired off a sharp response after a man on X (formerly Twitter) advised Igbo men to stop marrying Igbo women and instead seek wives from other African countries.
The controversy began after a photo of a Rwandan woman said to be engaged to an Anambra man went viral.
Resharing the image, the user wrote, “Dear Igbo men, instead of marrying an Igbo woman who’ll falsely accuse you of r4ping your daughter, better look outside for a wife.
“Go to East Africa, especially Rwanda, and pick a damsel. They’re all over social media, and you can link up with them.”
Genevieve, who rarely comments on online drama, responded, “In other words, instead of checking yourself and taking accountability, go for the unsuspecting and carry on with your evil. Got it.”
Another user attempted to challenge her, claiming the original tweet was aimed at “false rape accusers” and that Genevieve was avoiding the real issue.
“His tweet was clearly against false rape accusers, but instead of holding the evil women accountable and demanding change, you chose to tweet this?”
But the actress hit back with equal clarity: “The same way a woman can’t tell an abusive man apart from a good one is the same way you shouldn’t say avoid all Igbo women. ‘Not all women’.”
Reality TV star Phyna has offered words of encouragement to fellow Big Brother Naija winner Imisi amid a family feud between the latter and her mother.
In an X post on Monday, Phyna wrote,”To Imisi, @imisiofficial and to anyone walking through the same fire… I’m praying for your strength.
“My own experience broke me, but I’m slowly rising.
“And I’m rooting for you with everything in me, don’t handle it like I did, build strong and focus on you baby girl.”
The post comes against the backdrop of a family dispute in which Imisi’s mother accused her daughter of hatred and revealed the poor condition of the home where she currently lives, despite Imisi winning N150 million after her Big Brother victory.
Imisi replied in Yoruba,”This is why Aunty Debola said you should not show your face to the world. I can’t be saying all that now, you are in the midst of people. Just overlook everything and leave social media.
“Don’t worry, I will send you money to rent a new house. I am tired of all this drama. I am still recovering from the stress of Big Brother.
“Should I be facing another stress now? Please forgive me, I am your daughter.”
Recall Imisi’s mother has publicly expressed frustration on social media, saying she does not need her daughter’s money after being sidelined following the win.
She also blamed Imisi for recounting her childhood experiences, which she claims involve untrue allegations of parental neglect and sexual assault.
In a video, she showed the old house she currently resides in, saying she is content with her situation, a revelation that sparked online controversy.
In 2023, after Phyna’s BBNaija win, her father, Felix Otabor, revealed in an interview that he was distressed by his daughter’s actions following her BBNaija win.
Otabor said Phyna had asked him to stop working as a hearse driver and requested that he sell his cars, promising to improve the family’s life.
He said he later struggled financially after selling the vehicles, losing his business momentum and community position, and has not seen his daughter since her victory.
He described feeling sidelined while she enjoyed her wealth.
Nollywood actress, Regina Daniels, has opened up about her marriage to her estranged husband, Senator Ned Nwoko.
It was reports that the embattled wife revealed why their seven-year relationship remained faithful despite his polygamous lifestyle.
In a reply to a comment on her Instagram page, Daniels said that during their years together, Nwoko never slept with other women outside their home because she held him well in the other room.
She wrote: “Yes i think he loved me but a toxic one! Because tell me why a polygamous man forgot what it meant to be in polygamy, except for the media.
“Just because it boosted his ego of being seen with multiple women which is easy by me because anyone that sees a man as an odogwu sees the wife as what? He basically had to beg that he share days at ours and other days with his other wives because they begged for his attention.
“Y’all should pls forget this yeye social media comparison because my ex man never slept outside one day in our 7 years of marriage. You know why? Because as a delta babe, I hold am well for the other room ladies use your skills that’s all men want actually!”
