Terry Waya is a Nigerian businessman and socialite whose reputation for extravagant living, designer fashion and connections within influential business and political circles has kept him in the public eye for decades.
Best known to many Nigerians as the father of Big Brother Naija star Terseer “Kiddwaya” Waya, Terry has built a public image around luxury properties, private aviation and an extensive network of high-profile contacts. His nickname, “Mr. Versace”, reflects his well-known interest in designer fashion and opulent living.
Waya attracted renewed attention in 2025 after telling Romanian media personality Oana Irimia that his net worth was “maybe about 2.2 billion dollars”. The claim generated widespread discussion on Nigerian social media, although his actual wealth has not been independently verified by authoritative financial publications.
Terry Waya’s Early Life, Age and Tiv Heritage
Born on 3 May 1961 in Benue State, Nigeria, Terry Waya belongs to the Tiv ethnic group, one of the country’s major communities in the Middle Belt region.
He reportedly spent part of his childhood in Kaduna after leaving his home state at an early age. He later attended Kaduna Polytechnic before moving to Abuja, where his business activities and connections helped establish his profile in elite Nigerian circles.
Waya, who turned 65 in 2026 according to his reported birth date, has maintained a public identity closely associated with wealth, international travel and high-end social events. He is also reported to reside in London with members of his family.
How Terry Waya Built His Business Career
Waya’s business journey has been linked to real estate, agriculture, industry, transportation, hospitality and investment activities. He has also been associated with consultancy work and relationships involving prominent Nigerian businesspeople and politicians.
One account of his early success centres on his alleged involvement in arrangements connected to the construction of the Abuja Hilton, now known as Transcorp Hilton Abuja. The hotel opened in 1987, and Waya has been described as having secured an early opportunity through consultancy work connected to the project.
Over the years, he developed a reputation as a well-connected intermediary within influential business and political networks. However, detailed public information about his individual investments, company ownership interests and the precise value of his holdings remains limited.
Waya is also identified as an executive director at GT Carbon, while his reported business interests extend across several sectors.
Terry Waya’s Claimed Role in the Development of Banana Island
One of the most notable claims Waya has made about his business career concerns Banana Island, the exclusive residential development in Lagos.
In an interview with BBC News Pidgin, he said he played a significant role in bringing the Chagoury Group into the project after learning that the government was seeking a development partner.
Waya recounted that he obtained information about the opportunity during a visit to Abdulkarim Adisa, a former minister of works with whom he said he was friends. According to his account, discussions during that visit alerted him to the government’s search for a partner to develop the area.
He subsequently claimed that he introduced the Chagoury Group to the project.
The account offers a glimpse into how Waya describes his early connections with major property developments. However, his description of his role should be understood as his own account rather than an independently established assessment of the project’s development history.
Inside Terry Waya’s Luxury Lifestyle and Private Jet Travel
Luxury has become one of the defining features of Waya’s public image. His social media posts have shown him travelling internationally, attending prominent events and spending time in destinations associated with wealthy holidaymakers.
His reported travels include visits to Mykonos in Greece, Saint-Tropez in France and Marbella in Spain, as well as appearances connected to major international events such as the Cannes Film Festival and the Madrid Grand Prix.
Private aviation also features prominently in his online presence, with posts showing him aboard private aircraft. However, photographs of him using private jets do not independently establish that he personally owns an aircraft.
Waya’s luxury reputation also extends to his properties and fashion choices. His mansion, described as being inspired by the Versace aesthetic, has contributed to the nickname “Mr. Versace”.
Although he is not particularly known for publicly displaying a collection of cars, his online image places greater emphasis on international travel, luxury accommodation, designer clothing and expensive accessories.
Who Is Terry Waya’s Wife?
Terry Waya’s first wife is Susan Waya, who has been described in published profiles as a business analyst, politician and philanthropist.
The couple have two sons: Terseer Waya, popularly known as Kiddwaya, and Daniel Waya. Kiddwaya has become the more widely recognised member of the family because of his television career and public appearances.
Waya has also been linked publicly to socialite Eno Udoh, who was previously married to businessman Bisi Olafisoye. Reports describe their relationship as occurring after his marriage to Susan, although details of his personal relationships are not extensively documented.
Kiddwaya: The Son Who Brought Terry Waya Back Into the Spotlight
Terseer “Kiddwaya” Waya was born on 5 March 1993 in Lagos. He became nationally recognised after competing in the fifth season of Big Brother Naija, known as the 2020 “Lockdown” edition.
His profile grew further when he returned for the show’s “All Stars” season in 2023.
Kiddwaya’s television appearances introduced his father’s name to a younger audience, many of whom became curious about the family’s wealth and lifestyle.
During his time in the Big Brother Naija house, Kiddwaya spoke candidly about his relationship with his father, telling a fellow housemate: “I didn’t get much love from home; my dad only gives money.”
The remark drew attention to the personal side of a family widely associated with material wealth and luxury.
Terry Waya’s Net Worth in 2026: Is He Really Worth $2.2 Billion?
Waya’s wealth remains one of the most discussed aspects of his public profile, but the available figures vary considerably.
During a 2025 interview with Romanian media personality Oana Irimia, he was asked directly about his net worth and replied, “Maybe about 2.2 billion dollars.”
That figure is self-reported and has not been independently confirmed by Forbes or another recognised wealth-ranking organisation. Other estimates published online have placed his fortune substantially lower, with some suggesting approximately $300 million. Such estimates should also be treated cautiously because publicly available information does not establish a verified valuation.
His reported sources of wealth include business interests in agriculture, industry, real estate and investments, alongside his executive role at GT Carbon. His association with property developments and his reported access to luxury residences and private aviation have also contributed to perceptions of his financial standing.
Nevertheless, the value of his businesses, liabilities, ownership stakes and other assets has not been publicly documented in sufficient detail to establish a reliable net worth.
Terry Waya’s Philanthropy and 2025 Awards
Alongside his business reputation, Waya has promoted his involvement in philanthropic and humanitarian activities.
In May 2025, he announced that he had received a special award recognising his humanitarian work at the Cannes Film Festival. He also received reported recognition for philanthropic contributions in Bucharest, Romania.
In a social media post following the Cannes recognition, Waya described the honour as an award acknowledging his humanitarian deeds.
While these recognitions have formed part of his public profile, detailed independent assessments of the scale and impact of his charitable activities are not widely available.
His name returned to public debate in June 2025 after his son Kiddwaya organised a fundraiser for victims of massacres in Benue State. The appeal attracted criticism and questions from some Nigerians who wondered why members of a wealthy family were asking the public to contribute.
The reaction highlighted the tension between perceptions of personal wealth and expectations surrounding charitable giving, particularly when public figures appeal for donations to support vulnerable communities.
Frequently Asked Questions About Terry Waya
Which tribe is Terry Waya from?
Terry Waya is from the Tiv ethnic group in Benue State, Nigeria.
How old is Terry Waya in 2026?
He is reported to have been born on 3 May 1961, which would make him 65 in 2026.
Who is Terry Waya’s wife?
His first wife is Susan Waya. He has also been publicly linked to socialite Eno Udoh, but details of his personal relationships remain limited.
How many children does Terry Waya have?
He has two publicly identified sons, Terseer “Kiddwaya” Waya and Daniel Waya.
What is Terry Waya’s net worth in 2026?
Waya claimed in a 2025 interview that his net worth was approximately $2.2 billion. The figure has not been independently verified, and lower estimates published elsewhere are also unconfirmed.
What businesses does Terry Waya own?
He has been associated with business interests spanning agriculture, industry, real estate and investments, and is reported to serve as executive director at GT Carbon. Public information does not provide a complete, independently verified list of his business holdings.
Does Terry Waya own a private jet?
He has frequently appeared in social media posts aboard private aircraft, but those images do not establish personal ownership of a jet.
Why is Terry Waya called Mr. Versace?
The nickname reflects his public association with designer fashion, luxury living and a mansion described as being inspired by the Versace aesthetic.
Terry Waya remains a prominent figure in Nigerian social circles, with his business career, extravagant lifestyle and relationship with Kiddwaya continuing to attract public interest. Yet while his own claims about his fortune have fuelled headlines, the precise scale of his wealth remains an open question.
