Nigerian football legend Jay-Jay Okocha has revealed that one of the key decisions he made after achieving success in his football career was to provide long-term financial support for his family by buying them houses and helping them establish businesses.
Speaking during an interview on the LongForm Podcast, Okocha said he ensured that his relatives would never be homeless by purchasing homes for them, while also paying their children’s school fees and providing startup capital to help them become financially independent.
“I bought houses for my family so they’ll never be homeless. I pay their children’s school fees and even give them startup capital to start businesses. If they fail after that, it’s none of my business. I have suffered enough, and I can’t keep suffering,” he said.
The former Super Eagles captain explained that owning homes eliminates the burden of paying rent, allowing his family members to focus on managing the businesses he helped them establish.
“I bought houses for them, so there is no house rent. Why can’t you just manage your capital, the business I have started for you, to feed your family? If you can’t do that, what else do you expect from me? At least, I make sure they can never be homeless,” Okocha added.
A video of the former football star making the remarks has since circulated online, attracting reactions from fans, many of whom praised his approach to supporting family members while encouraging self-reliance.