I Went From Dollar Millionaire at 30 to Labourer in England at 35 — Farooq Oreagba

Businessman and socialite, 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 banking job.

Oreagba made the revelation during an appearance on the MENtality show, hosted by media personality Ebuka Obi-Uchendu and co-hosted by singer Banky W. The conversation focused on wealth, material possessions and the true value of life. The episode was uploaded to Ebuka’s YouTube channel on Friday.

While discussing society’s obsession with money, Oreagba challenged Ebuka with a thought-provoking question about the worth people attach to wealth.

“How much is money to you? Give me a number. Just pick a number. A billion dollars?” he asked.

When Ebuka responded that money was not the ultimate source of fulfilment, Oreagba pressed further.

“If I gave you $10 million now, what would you say?”

In his characteristic humorous style, Ebuka replied, “I would call you from Miami to thank you.”

Oreagba then introduced a different perspective, asking whether the money would still be worth accepting if it came with 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 answered that it would not be worth it, saying he could always make $10 million in his lifetime.

Using the exchange to illustrate his point, Oreagba reflected on the dramatic highs and lows of his own life.

“Exactly. So all of a sudden, living actually has a lot of value to it. I was a dollar millionaire at 30. At 35, I was working as a labourer,” he said.

When asked where he had taken up the labouring job, Oreagba simply replied, “In England.”

He explained that his financial fortunes changed after he lost his banking position while pursuing another ambition.

“I had a dream, something I wanted to do, and I lost my job as a banker. To maintain that lifestyle, I was hustling and doing all kinds of things, but nobody saw it. The Porsches were still outside. I had my priorities wrong,” he admitted.

According to Oreagba, the difficult period transformed his outlook on life, teaching him that wealth and social status should never take precedence over health, family and meaningful relationships.

Now approaching his 60th birthday, he said his lifestyle has remained largely unchanged despite his recent surge in popularity.

“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.

He added that good health remains life’s greatest asset.

“We place value on the wrong things. I’ve said this before, you may have 99 problems, but the minute you have a health problem, you only have one problem.”

Oreagba became an internet sensation after his stylish appearance at the 2024 Ojude Oba Festival captivated social media users, earning him the nickname “Mr Steeze.” Since then, he has remained a prominent figure in conversations around business, lifestyle and personal success.