Chief Terry Waya is a Nigerian businessman, socialite and philanthropist. He is known for his interests in real estate, agriculture and logistics, for his wealthy social circle, and for a lifestyle built around luxury fashion. Widely nicknamed “Mr. Versace” for his devotion to the Italian fashion house, he has been prominent in Nigerian business and social circles since the 1990s. His son is reality TV star Terseer “Kiddwaya” Waya.
Early Life and Education
Waya was born on 3 May 1961 in Vandeikya, Benue State. Economic hardship in his hometown pushed him to move to Kaduna State to seek better opportunities and further his education. He studied at Kaduna Polytechnic, where he earned a National Diploma.
Moving to Abuja
In the early 1990s he relocated to Abuja, then a fast-growing capital at the centre of political and commercial change. There he built relationships with senior military officers, politicians and business figures, and moved into infrastructure and real estate development and investment. He has also said he consulted on the construction of the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja.
The Banana Island Claim
Waya has said, including in a 2020 interview with BBC News Pidgin, that he played a pivotal role in the discovery and development of Banana Island, the upscale artificial island in Lagos. By his account, a former Minister of Works, General Adisa, told him the government was looking for a development partner. He then brought in the Chagoury group to deliver the project.
Waya’s role is his own account and is not universally accepted. Other accounts credit different people with conceiving and developing the island, so readers should treat this as his claim.
Business Interests
Waya is an Executive Director at GT Carbon. His interests span international real estate, transport and logistics, stocks, hospitality and agriculture. His agricultural vehicle is Valley Agricultural and Food Company, which focuses on agricultural investment and food production. He has also invested in the United Kingdom and other European countries.
Luxury and Lifestyle
Waya’s public image is closely tied to luxury. His main Nigerian residence is Plaza Versace de Tera, a mansion completed in 2018 with custom Versace-branded structural elements, lighting, ceilings and furniture. He divides his time between Abuja and London and travels often to destinations such as Mykonos, Greece, where he reportedly owns private beach villas.
He has described himself as a billionaire, putting his net worth at about $2 billion. Other published estimates are lower, and no independent source such as Forbes has verified his wealth.
Politics and Public Life
In 2019 he was named to President Muhammadu Buhari’s Advisory Council. Media reports have also linked him over the years with prominent political figures.
Philanthropy and Awards
Waya says he is committed to uplifting people from Benue State and mentoring young Nigerian entrepreneurs to think globally. He supports community empowerment in Benue and assists young entrepreneurs who approach him for help.
He has reportedly received:
A humanitarian and philanthropic award at the Cannes Film Festival in France (May 2025)
Philanthropy and service-to-humanity awards in Bucharest, Romania
The Distinguished Impact in Economic Growth and Philanthropy award, as Agro-Allied Investor and Captain of Industry, at the I Success Venice Edition
Terry Waya
Family
Waya is married to Susan Waya, and they have two sons: Daniel Waya and Terseer “Kiddwaya” Waya, who became known through Big Brother Naija. He also has a child from a previous relationship.
