‘My son transformed our family business’ – Corporate meat seller’s father

Muraina Nojeem, father of viral Nigerian meat seller Akeem Muraina, popularly known as the “Korporate Meat Seller,” has said his son’s education and upbringing helped him transform the family’s butchery business.

Nojeem, who said he stopped his education after primary school before venturing into the butchery trade, said Akeem began learning the business from him as a young boy while still in school.

While speaking to Vanguard Metro, Akeem started accompanying him to the market during holidays and weekends, gradually gaining practical knowledge of the trade that he would later inherit.

“He started young, especially during the holidays or weekends. There was a time we worked every weekend. He would follow me to the market and that was how he understood the business,” Nojeem said.

He said Akeem was about 12 or 13 years old when he began following him to work regularly.

Nojeem said he was unable to pursue formal education beyond primary school before starting the butchery business, but expressed gratitude that he was able to provide his children with educational opportunities.

“I didn’t go to school that much. I stopped after my primary school education and started this butchery trade,” he said.

“I am grateful to God for the privilege of being able to educate my children. I believe his education is one of the reasons he is different.”

Akeem attended Abeokuta Grammar School, Idi Araba, before proceeding to Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, where he obtained his Ordinary National Diploma and Higher National Diploma. He later went on to obtain a Bachelor’s degree.

His father said Akeem’s education gave him exposure and knowledge that he himself did not have while building the business.

“Everything he does, I didn’t have the knowledge or opportunity to learn,” Nojeem said.

Beyond his education, however, Nojeem said his son had always been conscious of cleanliness from childhood, describing him as someone who disliked dirt.

“Right from childhood, Ak didn’t like dirt. He has always been neat,” he said.

Akeem has since become known for selling meat while dressed in suits and ties, a style that has earned him the nickname “Korporate Meat Seller” and attracted attention on social media.

But his father said the family’s approach to the trade has also changed over the years, adding that he too became more conscious of presenting himself and his business neatly.

“If you look at me now, you will see a difference. I am no longer dirty too. When I started butchering in a different and organised way, I started dressing neatly,” Nojeem said.

Akeem has described the business as one he inherited from his father and one he has developed a passion for.

“This is my father’s business and I inherited it, and I have passion for it,” he said.

Despite the challenges that come with the business, Akeem has said he has no plans to abandon it, stressing that he would rather find new ways to improve it.

“I have already invested so much in this business, so I cannot quit. Instead of me to quit, I will restrategise. There are many bad days, but that doesn’t stop me from doing this business,” he said.

For Nojeem, watching his son take the family trade in a different direction is a source of pride, particularly because Akeem has combined his education with the business he began learning as a child.

What began with a young boy following his father to the market has now grown into a distinctive business identity that has made Akeem known beyond Abeokuta.

The “Korporate Meat Seller” continues to operate the family business while using his corporate appearance and approach to challenge the perception of what a meat seller should look like.

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