A stylish businesswoman and socialite of high repute, Hajia Bola Shagaya, is like a golden fish that has no hiding place in the water. Her enchanting demeanor and poise attract a large number of people to her. As much as her trumpet sounds so loud enough to shut the ears of her detractors, she is that modest enough to lower the tone as she loves her quiet works speaks more volume of her endearing persona with a heart of gold.
Among the billionaire and aristocrats in the corridor of power, she is revered. Nobody jokes with her, most especially among the women holding high positions of power in Nigeria.
Interestingly, those close to her often wonder what has kept her relevant with every government in power regardless of party affiliation. The secret of the Kwara State-born business magnate remains unique as she has maintained a cordial relationship with the past first ladies including the current first lady, Aisha Buhari. Shagaya was a kitchen cabinet member of the late Maryam Babangida, Hajia Maryam Abacha, late Stella Obasanjo, Dame Patience Jonathan.
A few weeks ago, she was spotted at the book launch and presentation of Aisha Buhari: Being Different, a biography of Aisha Buhari, wife of President Muhammadu Buhari, at the Banquet Hall of the presidential villa, Abuja. As she sauntered into the venue glamorously dressed with a warm smile on her face, it further showed how relevant she is in the top echelon club of Nigeria.
Society Rendezvous gathered that her secret to her long-standing friendship with the previous and current first ladies is connected to her uncommon brilliance, native intelligence, and ability to see fortune out of misfortune. “Hajia is just super smart and intelligent. Apart from being close to them, they love having her around because of her words of wisdom and her ability, to tell the truth without sugarcoating it. She is one of the few who says it the way it is. She is not a favour seeker who would hide the truth for any reason,” a close aide squealed.