Planning to Step Back at Sixty — Obi Cubana’s Next Act

Obinna Iyiegbu — better known as Obi Cubana — has been a familiar name for anyone who follows business circles and nightlife scenes. You’ve probably seen his events, the headlines, the larger-than-life vibe. Lately, though, he’s been talking about something quieter: the plan to slow down. He says he wants to retire from active business life by the time he’s sixty. It’s straightforward. But once you sit with that for a moment, it opens up a bunch of questions and small surprises. He’s fifty now, so that’s about ten years to shape what comes after the noise.

Why sixty? Why now?

He framed the decision as a practical life choice rather than a dramatic finale. The aim, he said, is to travel more, to give his wife better experiences, and to make sure his children won’t need to struggle for money the way earlier generations did. That last part is telling. He’s not trying to disappear and leave everyone to fend for themselves. Instead, he’s working now to build systems — businesses that can run without him, staff who can take over, assets that produce stable income. Sounds sensible. I mean, who wouldn’t want a life where work isn’t the main thing every day? Still, there’s something interesting about setting a fixed age. People often say they’ll slow down “when the time comes,” which is vague and slippery. Setting sixty as the cutoff is clearer — and possibly more helpful in forcing real decisions.

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What retiring looks like for him

When Obi Cubana talks about retirement, he isn’t picturing endless idle afternoons. He’s imagining a second chapter that’s quieter but deliberate: touring the world and spending quality time with his wife. That sounds, frankly, quite lovely. He’s been traveling for business for years, hopping between deals and appearances, so the idea of traveling for pleasure — without the meetings, the pitches, the deal-making — feels like a different rhythm. I can almost picture him in a slower mode: fewer gala nights, more sunrise breakfasts, museums and quiet dinners instead of club spotlights. There’s also the obvious family angle. He’s a father of five and says he wants to make sure they are financially independent. That’s the other piece of the puzzle — the legacy part. Not just rumoured bank accounts and flashy parties, but a concrete plan to secure his children’s futures.

Work smart, not harder — or at least that’s the plan

He keeps repeating a theme you hear from many entrepreneurs who’ve been at it long enough: work smart, create sustainable systems, and build something that won’t collapse when you step away. It’s a simple sentence but hard to do. I like that he’s conscious of the need for a system, not just wealth accumulation. Wealth without structure can be fragile; structure without wealth is meaningless. Combine the two, and you have a chance of genuine security. He says his frequent trips and busy schedule right now are all about laying foundations. It’s worth noting he doesn’t talk about a total vanishing act — more like a planned exit from the frontline. That’s realistic. Most people who build big things rarely let go completely; they just move to advisory roles or enjoy occasional involvement.

Not everything is tidy — and that’s okay

There’s something human about the way he speaks, too. He’s hopeful, a bit assertive, and optimistic about legacy-building, but he’s not pretending there won’t be messy bits. Money and families, business transitions, handing over control — these are complicated. The public image of a smooth exit is often just that: an image. In practice, there are tough conversations, legal structures, training people, checking that managers share values, and worst-case scenarios to plan for. He hinted at the practical side — constant travel to secure the future — but not the nitty-gritty. That makes sense. Not everyone wants to air every difficulty. Still, you can feel that he sees the work ahead and is willing to put in the hours now to avoid chaos later.

A personal take — why I think this matters

I find this kind of planning admirable. Maybe it’s because I’ve seen examples where people never prepared and then had to scramble, and it gets ugly. But I also get the other side: for some entrepreneurs, the business is identity. Saying “no more work” feels like stepping away from part of yourself. He seems to be balancing both impulses: to keep influence but reduce day-to-day demands. It’s an honest, maybe cautious, approach. Also, the emphasis on giving his wife “the best experience life can offer” rings true as a human motive. We often work not only for abstract goals but for people we love. That’s simple and appealing.

A ten-year timeline forces choices

One interesting consequence of setting a decade-long timeline is that it forces decisions now. Ten years can fly by, particularly when you’re juggling businesses. Commitments will need to change, succession plans drafted, partners prepared. He can’t rely on vague promises to take over when he’s ready — that’s rarely how it works. So his statement is both aspirational and functional: it’s a public signal to staff, family, and partners that they need to be ready. Whether everything goes exactly as planned? Probably not. But the plan gives a structure to aim for.

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Wrapping up — his plan, imperfect but clear

Obi Cubana wants a quieter life at sixty: travel, family time, and a legacy that keeps his children secure. He’s using the next ten years to build systems and to make the transition possible. There are obvious gaps you’d expect — the tough bits of succession, the emotional shift away from a high-energy life — but the intention is solid. He isn’t promising drama or grand final acts. Instead, it’s a practical, human plan to move from making money and running nightlife empires to enjoying the simple things he says he looks forward to. That in itself feels like a meaningful choice.