…Tunji Bello builds LASU auditorium, Sanwo-Olu commends visionary gift
BENJAMIN OMOIKE
LAGOS, Nigeria — Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday commissioned a newly built multi-purpose auditorium at the Epe Campus of Lagos State University (LASU), donated by former Secretary to the State Government and Executive Vice Chairman of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), Olatunji Bello.
Named the Olatunji Bello Auditorium, the 500-seater edifice is sited within the Faculty of Environmental Sciences and was constructed to mark Bello’s 60th birthday in 2021. Rather than host a grand celebration, the former Commissioner and journalist rallied friends and associates to contribute to what he described as a “seed in the vineyard of knowledge.”
Speaking at the event, Governor Sanwo-Olu commended Bello’s commitment to education and service, describing the structure as “a beacon of knowledge, creativity, and intellectual engagement.”
“This iconic edifice, generously donated by one of our illustrious sons, stands as a testament to vision, commitment, and the enduring value of giving back to society,” the governor said.
The governor reiterated his administration’s focus on education as a core part of the THEMES+ Agenda, noting that projects like this align with the government’s vision of producing globally competitive graduates and strengthening LASU’s status as a centre of excellence.
Also speaking, LASU Vice Chancellor, Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello — wife of the donor — expressed appreciation for the new facility, noting its significance in easing infrastructural challenges at the growing campus.
“This auditorium is a much-needed addition that will support academic, administrative, and social functions on this campus,” she said.
A Legacy Born of Sacrifice and Vision
In an emotional address, Tunji Bello shared the backstory of the project, revealing it was initially inspired by a casual suggestion from his wife before she became Vice Chancellor.
“Instead of celebrating with pomp, I chose to build something lasting,” Bello said. “I asked friends planning to buy me birthday gifts to monetise them and support the construction.”
He recounted how a friend intended to surprise him with a new SUV, which he redirected into funds for the project. Despite multiple financial challenges, including inflation and currency devaluation, Bello said his faith never wavered. In late 2023, he sold his property in Magodo to prevent the project from being abandoned.
“When God gives a vision, He provides the means — sometimes through ideas,” he said.
Bello noted that the auditorium is not his first investment in education. At his 50th birthday in 2011, he launched an annual scholarship fund across five disciplines — Law, Mass Communications, Social Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine — specifically for academically brilliant but financially disadvantaged Lagosian students.
Public-Private Synergy for Education
Bello advocated for greater private investment in public tertiary institutions, noting that government alone cannot meet the infrastructure needs of education in Nigeria.
“This project is my humble way of filling part of that gap,” he said, referencing similar philanthropic gestures by his late father, Alhaji Azeez Olatunji Bello, as well as his mentor, late Bashorun MKO Abiola, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who once endowed LASU with ₦1 billion.
In a bid to ensure continued value, Bello also announced a free WiFi service at the auditorium, sponsored by VDT Communications, and a one-year private facility management arrangement to ensure sustainability before LASU assumes full maintenance responsibilities.
He concluded by encouraging LASU students to maximise the opportunities the facility presents, quoting Benjamin Franklin: “Investment in education pays the best interest.”
