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Bello: How I Sold My Home and Turned Birthday Gifts Into a 540-Seater LASU Auditorium

For Olatunji Bello, marking a milestone birthday was never going to be about champagne, music, and a fleeting night of luxury. Instead, the Executive Vice-Chairman/CEO of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) turned his 60th birthday into a gift that will outlive him: a 540-seater multipurpose auditorium for students of Lagos State University (LASU).

At the unveiling of the new structure on the Epe campus of LASU, Bello recalled the personal sacrifices that went into making the project a reality. What began in 2021 as a bold idea nearly collapsed under the weight of Nigeria’s inflation and currency crash. But Bello, a former Secretary to the Lagos State Government, persevered—going so far as to sell his property in Magodo to keep construction alive.

“The toughest moment was when costs tripled, but our faith never wavered,” Bello said. “I appealed to friends and well-wishers to convert birthday gifts into donations. One wealthy friend who had planned to surprise me with a Land Cruiser Jeep converted it to cash. With more donations and God’s grace, we pressed on.”

Beyond Celebrations, A Legacy of Service

Bello explained that his choice was guided by principle: posterity over transient pleasures. Instead of throwing a lavish party, he wanted to “sow a seed in the vineyard of knowledge.”

His wife, Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello—now the Vice Chancellor of LASU—had first suggested the idea of building something for the university. Though she was not yet Vice Chancellor at the time, Bello embraced the vision, seeing it as an extension of his lifelong commitment to education.

This was not his first act of philanthropy. On his 50th birthday in 2011, he established annual academic prizes across five disciplines—Law, Mass Communication, Social Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine—at LASU.

“By choosing to invest in knowledge, I believe we are preserving my 60th birthday cake in a way that generations of students will share and savour,” he said.

Commendations From Leaders

The auditorium was officially unveiled by Minister of State for Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, who praised Bello’s vision while highlighting President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to strengthening education.

“LASU is the most subscribed university in Nigeria. This facility is more than a structure; it is an investment in our human capital,” Alausa said, assuring that the Federal Government’s new energy initiative would soon make universities across Nigeria self-sufficient through mini-grids.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who described the building as “an iconic edifice,” noted that Bello had consistently contributed to the growth of Lagos State.

“This modern facility is not just a building, it is a beacon of knowledge, creativity, and intellectual engagement. It will enrich the learning environment, inspire students, and align with our THEMES+ Agenda for education,” the governor said.

For Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, the Vice Chancellor, the day was doubly significant—not just as a university leader but also as Bello’s partner in the dream. She described the donation as perfectly aligned with LASU’s mission to build lasting infrastructure.

“Your presence here,” she told the governor and dignitaries, “represents a commitment to excellence. This is the first time a sitting Governor has set foot on this campus in an official capacity.”

Sacrifice For Posterity

Guests, including former Ogun State Governor Chief Olusegun Osoba, hailed Bello’s selflessness. The former commissioner and journalist-turned-public servant has now etched his name into LASU’s history, not through power or position, but through sacrifice and foresight.

The story of the 540-seater auditorium is not just about bricks, mortar, or architectural elegance. It is about the difficult choices between indulgence and impact, between fleeting celebrations and lasting legacy.

By selling his house and redirecting birthday gifts, Olatunji Bello redefined what it means to celebrate life: not with fleeting luxury, but with an investment in generations yet unborn.

By Haruna Yakubu Haruna