The Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), Hon. Olatunji Bello, has inaugurated an auditorium he built and donated to the Lagos State University (LASU), Epe Campus, describing it as a deliberate choice to invest in education rather than host a grand celebration for his 60th birthday.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony in Epe on Wednesday, Bello — a former member of the Lagos State Executive Council — explained that the project was his way of “sowing a seed in the vineyard of knowledge” and addressing infrastructural gaps in Nigeria’s public universities.
A Birthday Marked by Legacy
Reflecting on his decision, Bello said he deliberately chose not to throw an elaborate party when he turned 60 in 2021. Instead, he channelled resources into a project he believes will serve generations of students.
“Without wishing to sound sanctimonious or all-righteous, one point I like to make is the consequential choice between transient enjoyment and posterity,” Bello said. “By investing the money in knowledge, I believe we are preserving my 60th birthday cake in a way that will be shared and savoured by many generations to come.”
The FCCPC boss disclosed that he had to sell a property in Magodo, Lagos, to sustain the project when construction costs surged. He added that the idea was first suggested by his wife, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, now the Vice Chancellor of LASU.
Track Record of Educational Support
Bello’s contribution builds on his earlier interventions in LASU. In 2011, to mark his 50th birthday, he instituted annual prizes in five disciplines — Law, Mass Communication, Social Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.
“So, as my 60th birthday approached, the concern was how I could do more,” he noted. “For me, the idea of throwing a big party was completely off the table. My wife mooted the idea of building something for LASU, and eventually, it became the vision we are celebrating today.”
Leaders Applaud the Gesture
The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa; and former Ogun State Governor, Chief Olusegun Osoba, all praised the initiative, urging other well-meaning Nigerians to emulate Bello’s example.
Governor Sanwo-Olu recalled being present at Bello’s 60th birthday where the pledge was made. “Despite the difficulties of the time, you did this. God will replenish your pocket,” he said. “While we continue to support LASU to be the best, we call on others to complement our efforts with donations and endowments like this.”
Minister Alausa commended both Bello and the LASU Vice Chancellor, promising federal support to address poor power supply at the university’s Ojo and Epe campuses. He pledged an additional 16 megawatts of electricity for the two campuses combined.
Chief Osoba described the gesture as uncommon, contrasting Bello’s investment in education with the tendency of many to spend heavily on social celebrations.
“Education Remains the Pathway Out of Poverty”
LASU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, lauded her husband’s lifelong passion for education, describing it as his “greatest commitment.” She stressed that the donation would significantly enhance teaching and learning at the institution.
“For him, education is the tool that shapes destinies and helps people escape poverty. This auditorium is a reflection of that belief,” she said.
The inauguration of the new auditorium adds to the growing culture of private endowments in Nigeria’s public universities, a model experts say will be critical in bridging funding gaps and raising the quality of higher education.