Imran Saro Gobir biography traces the journey of a young Nigerian civil engineer and entrepreneur who turned a distinguished family heritage into a career built on excellence, infrastructure, and purposeful leadership.
Table of Contents
Top Highlights
- Full Name: Imran Saro Gobir
- Born: December 1996, Lagos, Nigeria | Age (2026): 29 years old
- State of Origin: Kwara State (Ilorin roots)
- Religion: Islam
- Education: B.Eng. Civil Engineering, First Class, Coventry University; MEng, UCL
- Award: David Sulley Memorial Prize, Coventry University
- Profession: Civil Engineer, Entrepreneur, Managing Director
- Company: Raith Nigeria Limited
- Wife: Olamide Raheeda Okoya (married April 25, 2026)
- Father-in-Law: Alhaji Razaq Akanni Okoya, CON, Aare of Lagos
Who Is Imran Saro Gobir?
Imran Saro Gobir is a Nigerian civil engineer, entrepreneur, and the Managing Director of Raith Nigeria Limited, an infrastructure development company operating across transportation, energy, and utility sectors in Nigeria. Born in December 1996 in Lagos, he comes from a family with deep roots in diplomacy, traditional leadership, and business.
He gained wider public attention in April 2026 when his marriage to Olamide Raheeda Okoya, daughter of billionaire industrialist Alhaji Razaq Akanni Okoya, was announced and celebrated in Lagos. The union brought together two of Nigeria’s most prominent families and drew dignitaries from across the country’s political, business, and social circles.
Beyond the headlines, Imran has quietly built a credible professional record as one of Nigeria’s most promising young engineers and infrastructure leaders.
At a Glance: Facts About Imran Saro Gobir
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Imran Saro Gobir |
| Date of Birth | December 1996 |
| Age (2026) | 29 years old |
| Place of Birth | Lagos, Nigeria |
| State of Origin | Kwara State (Ilorin) |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Religion | Islam |
| Undergraduate | B.Eng. Civil Engineering, First Class, Coventry University (UK) |
| Postgraduate | MEng Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, UCL |
| Award | David Sulley Memorial Prize, Coventry University |
| UCL Role | Innovation Ambassador |
| Profession | Civil Engineer, Entrepreneur |
| Position | Managing Director, Raith Nigeria Limited |
| Wife | Olamide Raheeda Okoya |
| Wedding Date | April 25, 2026, Lagos |
| Father | Late Ambassador Abubakar Garba Gobir |
| Maternal Heritage | Late Alhaji Umar Ayinla Saro, Sardauna of Ilorin (OFR, CON) |
| Estimated Net Worth | Not publicly confirmed |
Early Life & Family Background
Imran Saro Gobir was born in December 1996 in Lagos, Nigeria, though his roots trace back to Ilorin in Kwara State. He grew up in a home that placed strong emphasis on education, discipline, and service, values clearly reflected in the family names he carries.
His heritage is notably distinguished on both sides. On his maternal side, he descends from the late Alhaji Umar Ayinla Saro, a respected businessman and community leader who held the traditional title of Sardauna of Ilorin and was nationally honoured with both the OFR and CON awards for his contributions to business and community development.
On his paternal side, he is connected to the late Ambassador Abubakar Garba Gobir, a distinguished Nigerian diplomat and civil servant who served the country in various capacities following independence.
Growing up in Lagos, one of Africa’s most densely populated cities with chronic infrastructure gaps in roads, power, and utilities, Imran developed an early awareness of what engineering could do for communities. That awareness would later shape his career choices and the direction of his company.
Education: Academic Excellence at Home and Abroad
Coventry University, United Kingdom
Imran pursued a degree in Civil Engineering at Coventry University in the United Kingdom. His performance throughout the programme was outstanding. He graduated with a first-class honours degree and was awarded the prestigious David Sulley Memorial Prize by the department, a recognition reserved for exceptional academic achievement.
In his own words after graduating, he noted:
“Through hard work, the right mindset, and a strong team behind you, I believe anything can be achieved.”
His time at Coventry was shaped not only by academic rigour but also by the support of staff, colleagues, and family. He has spoken openly about how that collective environment helped him push through the demands of an international engineering degree.
University College London (UCL)
After Coventry, Imran advanced to University College London, one of the world’s leading research universities, where he completed a Master of Engineering (MEng) degree in Civil, Environmental, and Geomatic Engineering. During his time at UCL, he served as an Innovation Ambassador, a role focused on encouraging creative, sustainable approaches to complex technical challenges.
This combination of undergraduate distinction and postgraduate specialisation at a globally ranked institution gave Imran a strong technical foundation for his return to Nigeria.
Career Journey of Imran Saro Gobir: Building Nigeria’s Infrastructure
The Return Home and the Founding Vision
After completing his education in the United Kingdom, Imran made a deliberate decision to return to Nigeria rather than pursue career opportunities abroad. This choice reflected both personal conviction and an awareness of where his skills were most needed. Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit, particularly in roads, energy access, and utility systems, presented both a challenge and an opportunity for a young engineer with global training.
He founded and took on the role of Managing Director at Raith Nigeria Limited, an infrastructure development company built around the sectors critical to Nigeria’s economic and social progress.
Raith Nigeria Limited: Projects and Impact
Under Imran’s leadership, Raith Nigeria Limited has delivered infrastructure projects across multiple states and sectors:
- Road Survey and Design: Raith carried out the survey and design for the reconstruction and expansion of Ogunusi Road in Ikeja, Lagos, a major urban corridor stretching from Ojodu Berger Bus Stop to the Mobil Filling Station junction. The scope covered on-site surveying, alignment planning, and full design development.
- Solar Street Lighting: The company completed the installation of solar-powered street lighting within a residential estate in Abuja, as well as additional solar energy projects elsewhere in the FCT.
- Road Development, Taraba State: Raith has also carried out road design and development work in Taraba State, extending its reach beyond the major urban centres.
Each project reflects a clear focus on practical, community-facing infrastructure rather than large-scale government contracts alone. This approach positions Raith as a versatile firm capable of serving both institutional clients and private developments.
Career Timeline & Key Milestones
| Period | Milestone |
|---|---|
| December 1996 | Born in Lagos, Nigeria |
| UK (undergraduate) | Studies Civil Engineering at Coventry University |
| Graduation | Earns first-class honours; awarded the David Sulley Memorial Prize |
| Postgraduate | Completes MEng in Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering at UCL |
| UCL | Serves as Innovation Ambassador |
| Post-UCL | Returns to Nigeria; establishes/leads Raith Nigeria Limited as MD |
| Abuja | Completes solar street lighting installation project |
| Lagos | Completes Ogunusi Road survey and design, Ikeja |
| Taraba State | Delivers road design and development projects |
| April 25, 2026 | Marries Olamide Raheeda Okoya in Lagos |
Key Takeaways
- He graduated with first-class honours from Coventry University and won a departmental prize for academic excellence
- He holds a master’s degree from UCL, one of the world’s top engineering institutions
- He chose to return to Nigeria after UK studies rather than remain abroad
- Raith Nigeria Limited operates across Lagos, Abuja, and Taraba State
- His marriage in April 2026 connected him to the Okoya industrial dynasty, one of Nigeria’s most prominent business families
Major Achievements and Contributions
In a relatively short career span, Imran Saro Gobir has already built a record worth noting:
- Academic distinction: First-class degree from Coventry University and the David Sulley Memorial Prize
- Postgraduate excellence: MEng completion at UCL, with a concurrent role as Innovation Ambassador
- Infrastructure delivery: Led Raith Nigeria Limited through multiple completed projects in roads, solar energy, and utilities across three Nigerian states
- Entrepreneurial leadership: Founded and manages an engineering firm as a young professional, demonstrating both technical competence and business acumen
- Cross-sector credibility: His work spans the public sector (road infrastructure, government estates) and private residential (estate solar lighting), reflecting versatility
Personal Life
Imran Saro Gobir is a practicing Muslim, and his faith guides his values and personal conduct. He has spoken about the importance of Islamic principles in shaping how he approaches leadership, relationships, and responsibility.
On April 25, 2026, he married Olamide Raheeda Okoya in Lagos in a ceremony that combined a traditional introduction with a Nikkah (Islamic marriage rite). The event drew members of Nigeria’s political, business, and social elite. Among those reported in attendance was veteran media figure Reuben Abati.
The engagement was formally announced by Olamide’s mother, Chief Mrs. Folashade Okoya, on Instagram. In her announcement, she described the union as “a moment defined by grace and significance” and spoke of two “distinguished lineages grounded in shared values, faith, and purpose” coming together.
Olamide Raheeda Okoya is the daughter of Alhaji Razaq Akanni Okoya, CON, the Aare of Lagos and founder of the Eleganza Group, one of Nigeria’s most established industrial conglomerates.
Net Worth
Imran Saro Gobir’s net worth has not been publicly confirmed. Given that he is 29 years old and has spent his career building a growing infrastructure company rather than accumulating executive compensation at established corporations, his current financial profile reflects that of a rising entrepreneur in the early-to-mid stages of wealth creation.
One estimate circulating online places his net worth at approximately $100,000, though this figure has not been verified and should be treated with caution. What is clear is that his professional trajectory, his family connections, and his marriage into the Okoya family place him in a strong position for significant financial and professional growth in the years ahead.
Legacy and Influence
Imran Saro Gobir represents something important for Nigeria’s development narrative. He is a young, internationally educated engineer who chose to come home and apply his expertise where it is most needed. In a country where brain drain remains a real concern, that choice carries meaning.
His career also demonstrates that heritage and professional achievement can coexist productively. The names Saro and Gobir carry cultural weight rooted in Ilorin tradition and Nigerian diplomatic history. Rather than resting on that legacy, Imran has worked to build his own record of achievement on top of it.
His marriage into the Okoya family adds another layer of visibility and responsibility. As he builds his career further, he is likely to take on larger and more complex infrastructure mandates that could significantly deepen his contribution to Nigeria’s development.
Interesting Facts About Imran Saro Gobir
- He was born in Lagos but traces his roots to Ilorin, Kwara State, giving him a blend of Yoruba and northern Nigerian cultural heritage.
- He graduated with a first-class degree in Civil Engineering from Coventry University, a distinction earned by very few international students in competitive UK engineering programmes.
- The David Sulley Memorial Prize he received at Coventry recognises the top-performing student in the civil engineering department.
- He served as an Innovation Ambassador at UCL, a role that placed him among students charged with advancing sustainable and creative engineering thinking.
- He returned to Nigeria after completing his studies in the UK, a deliberate choice he has linked to a sense of national responsibility.
- His company, Raith Nigeria Limited, has delivered solar, road, and utility projects across at least three Nigerian states.
- His father, the late Ambassador Abubakar Garba Gobir, served Nigeria as a diplomat, including a posting as Ambassador to Iraq.
- His maternal ancestor, the late Alhaji Umar Ayinla Saro, held the title of Sardauna of Ilorin and was honoured with both the OFR and CON national awards.
- His wedding on April 25, 2026 doubled as a birthday celebration for his mother-in-law, Chief Mrs. Folashade Okoya.
- At just 29 years old in 2026, he is among the youngest managing directors in Nigeria’s infrastructure engineering space.
Conclusion
Imran Saro Gobir’s story is one of distinguished lineage meeting personal ambition. Born in Lagos to a family shaped by diplomacy and traditional leadership, he earned his place in the professional world through academic excellence at two of the United Kingdom’s respected universities and a commitment to bringing those skills home to Nigeria.
As Managing Director of Raith Nigeria Limited, he is delivering tangible results in roads, solar energy, and utility infrastructure across the country. His marriage to Olamide Raheeda Okoya in April 2026 has expanded his public profile considerably and placed him at the intersection of two powerful Nigerian family legacies.
At 29 years old, Imran Saro Gobir is clearly just getting started.
Everything You Wanted to Know About Imran Saro Gobir
Q1: Who is Imran Saro Gobir?
He is a Nigerian civil engineer, entrepreneur, and Managing Director of Raith Nigeria Limited, known for his work in infrastructure development and for his marriage to Olamide Raheeda Okoya, daughter of billionaire industrialist Alhaji Razaq Okoya, in April 2026.
Q2: How old is Imran Saro Gobir in 2026?
Born in December 1996, he is 29 years old as of 2026.
Q3: Where did Imran Saro Gobir study?
He earned a first-class honours degree in Civil Engineering from Coventry University in the UK and later completed a Master of Engineering at University College London (UCL), where he also served as an Innovation Ambassador.
Q4: What award did he receive at Coventry University?
He received the David Sulley Memorial Prize, awarded to the outstanding student in the Civil Engineering department upon his graduation with first-class honours.
Q5: Who is Imran Saro Gobir’s wife?
He married Olamide Raheeda Okoya on April 25, 2026, in Lagos. She is the daughter of Alhaji Razaq Akanni Okoya, founder of the Eleganza Group and one of Nigeria’s foremost industrialists.
Q6: What is Raith Nigeria Limited?
It is an infrastructure development company led by Imran as Managing Director, focused on road construction, solar energy installation, and utility services across Nigeria, with completed projects in Lagos, Abuja, and Taraba State.
Q7: What is Imran Saro Gobir’s family background?
He descends from two notable Nigerian lineages. His paternal heritage connects him to the late Ambassador Abubakar Garba Gobir, a Nigerian diplomat, while his maternal heritage links him to the late Alhaji Umar Ayinla Saro, the Sardauna of Ilorin and a nationally decorated businessman.
Q8: What is Imran Saro Gobir’s net worth?
His net worth has not been officially confirmed. Estimates suggest a figure in the range of $100,000, reflecting his stage as a growing entrepreneur, though this figure is unverified and his financial trajectory is widely expected to grow significantly.
