By Uboh-Ekong Treasure
Former Lagos State Commissioner and current Executive Vice-Chairman of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), Hon. Tunji Bello, has explained the motivation behind his decision to build a state of the art auditorium for Lagos State University (LASU), Epe campus.
The facility, officially named the Olatunji Bello Auditorium, was inaugurated on Wednesday with Governor Babajide Sanwo Olu, Minister of State for Education Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, and other dignitaries in attendance.
Speaking at the commissioning, Bello revealed that the project was conceived as part of his 60th birthday in 2021. Instead of throwing an elaborate celebration, he decided to make a lasting impact by investing in education.
“At 50, I started a scholarship scheme for indigent Lagos State students. At 60, I wanted something more enduring. My wife, who is Vice-Chancellor of LASU, advised me to build an auditorium for the university. I embraced the idea wholeheartedly,” he said.
According to Bello, friends and associates were asked to convert birthday gifts into contributions towards the project. While one friend, who had planned to present him with a vehicle, donated the cash equivalent, inflation and the naira’s depreciation later pushed costs far beyond initial estimates.
Determined to see the project completed, Bello disclosed that he sold his Magodo estate property to raise additional funds.
The new auditorium is designed to host lectures, conferences, symposia, and strategic engagements. To support its use, VDT Communications has provided free Wi-Fi, while a private company has been contracted to maintain the facility for one year.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, while inaugurating the project, commended Bello’s philanthropy, describing it as a model of private support for public education.
Bello urged LASU students to live by the inscription at the entrance of the hall: “Investment in education pays the best interest.” He noted that his father once donated land for the establishment of a secondary school, and that legacy inspired him to follow a similar path.
He also called on wealthy Nigerians to emulate the examples of late Chief MKO Abiola, President Bola Tinubu, and others who have invested in educational infrastructure.
The commissioning of the Olatunji-Bello Auditorium was marked by jubilation on the Epe campus, with students and faculty describing the facility as a valuable addition to the university’s infrastructure.
