Prominent Nigerian businesswoman Shade Okoya has responded to critics of her age-gap marriage, stating that she has "never missed out on anything" despite marrying a significantly older man.

In a recent interview with BBC Yoruba, the 48-year-old industrialist addressed public scrutiny surrounding her relationship with 85-year-old billionaire businessman Razak Okoya, whom she married in 1999 when she was 21 and he was 60.

"I'm happy in my marriage to him," Okoya declared. "He is far older than me, but I don't think I ever missed out on anything because I didn't marry a younger man."

The successful businesswoman, who has spent nearly three decades with her husband, emphasized the quality of their relationship rather than focusing on their 37-year age difference.

"My husband has been very generous with me and defends me anywhere," she said, attributing their union to divine guidance. "God said this is where I will be. We met each other, and he liked me, and he did not waste time at all."

Okoya's comments come amid ongoing public fascination with high-profile marriages featuring significant age differences. Her perspective offers insight into one of Nigeria's most prominent business families, where she has established herself as both a successful industrialist and the wife of one of the country's wealthiest businessmen.