This Nigerian Man Buried His Mother In The Most Expensive Casket In The World

Since his mother's passing in late 2020, all eyes have been on Nigerian socialite Obi Cubana. The extravagant series of funeral and burial ceremonies that took place throughout December raised eyebrows internationally, concluding with Cubana's late mother being immortalised in a $100,000 pendant. This brazen brandishing of exorbitant wealth during a time of unprecedented scarcity and poverty garnered the notorious millionaire plenty of criticism. But whether you love him or hate him, Cubana's entrepreneurial expertise is indisputable, and it's difficult not to admire his extraordinary success. So, how did he do it?

Who is Obi Cubana?

Looking at Cubana's expensive lifestyle today, you would never guess he rose from humble beginnings. The fourth son of his parents, Obinna Iyiegbu (who now goes by Obi Cubana), was born in Anambra State on 12th April 1975. Initially, he was educated at Central Primary School, then Dennis Memorial Grammar School, and ultimately the University of Nigeria of Nsukka in 1998, where he achieved a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. Upon completing his academic education, Cubana's entrepreneurial spirit led him to the hospitality industry. 

How Did Obi Cubana Get Rich?

In 2006, he founded 'Ibiza Club', a nightclub in Abuja that kickstarted his nightlife business legacy. The resounding success of 'Ibiza Club' firmly cemented Cubana as a pioneer on the Nigerian nightclub scene, and just 3 years later, in 2009, 'Cubana' was established. Today, the 46-year-old owns a string of businesses across Abuja, Lagos, Owerri and Enugu, including;

· Crave Cubana in Abuja.

· Opium Cubana in Owerri.

· Gustavo Cabana in Enugu.

· Pablo Cubana in Lagos.

· Rolex Hotels in Lagos.

· Grand Cubana Hotels in Abuja.

· Cubana Night Clubs in Lagos.

· Cubana Leisure Outfits Nationwide.

Obi Cubana's club

Collectively, Cubana's clubs are worth an estimated $2 billion and his personal net-worth is thought to have reached a whopping $500,000,000. The infamous tycoon continues to expand his lucrative empire and recently revealed in an interview that he is currently working on new business ventures such as Cubana Dubai and Cubana Real Estate. 

Obi Cubana's Awards

Obi Cubana's impressive achievements have not gone unnoticed by institutions both within Nigeria and internationally. He has been granted many awards for his work throughout his lifetime and is widely considered a role model for young Nigerian men. Some of his recent awards include;

· Democracy Entrepreneur of the Year - Democracy Heroes Award 2018.

· The RightVille School Special Leadership Award – 2017.

· Inspiring Personality Award - Ghana-Nigeria Achievers Awards 2017.

· Northern Nigeria Peace Builder of The Year - Northern Nigeria Peace Summit/Award 2017.

· Icon Award - Nigeria Film Corporation Entertainment 2017.

· Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2016.

Obi Cubana's Family

Alongside his corporate successes, Cubana also enjoys a great home life. In 2008, Cubana married lawyer Ebele Iyiegbu, a businesswoman and philanthropist in her own right. She is the founder and owner of the non-governmental organisation KIEK, a foundation formed to aid underprivileged children across Nigeria and provide access to sufficient education, nutrition, healthcare, and human rights. Together, Ebele and Obi bore four beautiful sons.

How does Obi Cubana spend his millions?

Obi Cubana has acquired a level of wealth that is incomprehensible to the average person, so it is hard to imagine how he spends all that money. Here are just a few of the ways that he indulges in his hard-earned cash.

Obi Cubana's cars

Looking at Obi Cubana's assets, it is evident that he is a car enthusiast. The most used among his impressive fleet is the matching pair of Lexus Lx's owned by him and his wife. This model is a great large SUV, perfect for family vacations and set Cubana back $84,980 each. The 5.7-litre V8 engine with 403 lb-ft of torque3 makes this an incredibly powerful vehicle.

Cubana also owns a Mercedes Benz 4matic S450, which he uses for everyday personal use. The S450 4Matic is the same as the standard S450 but with exclusive additional features such as all-wheel drive and the Magic Body Control option. The nightclub mogul's Range Rover is often spotted being used by his wife going to and from her office. He has also attended upscale events and parties in the prestigious and highly envied Rolls Royce Phantom. The Phantom is Rolls Royce's most expensive model, and pricing starts at an extortionate $450,000.

Obi Cubana's House

Cubana has recently completed construction on his bespoke multi-million-dollar mansion located in Abuja, the primary homestead for him and his family. The house was custom built for the Cubana family, featuring world-class architectural design and interior that visitors have likened to a royal palace.
The luxurious property includes a wide range of top-tier amenities such as an underground wine cellar, a fully stocked bar, a private pool, and a full-size cinema. During a recent visit, fabled oil tycoon Joseph Ezeokafor shared videos of the home on Snapchat for everyone to see. Cubana also owns various other mansions across the country.

Obi Cubana's Mother's Funeral

Perhaps Obi Cubana's most controversial portrayal of wealth was the lavish ceremony commemorating his mother in July 2021. The nightlife magnate acquired 346 cows, 72 goats, and 20 rams for his mother's burial. He also received gifts from his wealthy friends, employees, and people he had supported throughout his lifetime. Former employee Cubana Chiefpriest is said to have generously gifted Cubana 46 Cows, and young billionaire Jowi Zaza provided a further 10 Cows. 

And that's not all. 

Obi Cubana reportedly purchased a casket worth 30 million Naira, equivalent of $60,000, to bury his mother. The coffin is currently one of the most expensive in the world.

The memorials received a mixed bag of reactions from the general public. Writing for Premium Times Nigeria, Onyeka Onwenu stated, "The burial of Obi Cubana's mother was not only lavish, [but] it was also obscene and insensitive. It sent all the wrong signals at a time when Nigeria is wracked with widespread poverty and lack". Conversely, many of Cubana's supporters strongly disagree, such as Ifeanyi Maduako, who retorted, 'Obi Cubana has pledged to empower 300 youths from his community with one million each. What have his critics got to say about that? How many of his critics have ever empowered anybody?". 

Conclusion

Ultimately, any man who has achieved the level of wealth Obi Cubana has will inevitably attract controversy. However, whether you agree with his choice to splash his cash or not, the mogul's hard work, entrepreneurial vigour, and extraordinary achievements are something to be admired.