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…As Education Minister Pledges Energy Sufficiency For Nigerian Tertiary institutions By 2026
LAGOS – The history of sacrificial endowment for educational advancement in Nigerian academic institutions took a new, impressive dimension Wednesday August 20, 2025 on the Epe campus of the Lagos State University (LASU).
The landmark event occurred as a fully furnished 550-seater multi-purpose auditorium built and donated to LASU by Hon. Tunji Bello, the Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) was officially unveiled.
It is instructive at this juncture, to mention that the donor, a consummate journalist of the glorious veteran status, is the husband of Prof Ibiyemi Ibilola Olátúnjí-Bello the current Vice Chancellor of the high-flight, flag bearing citadel (LASU).
The unveiling and dedication of the epoch-making auditorium proved a pool of all dignitaries material to the matters of education in Lagos State and indeed, Nigeria.
Giving his opening remarks as the Chairman of the occasion, Dr Tunji Alausa, the nation’s Education Minister there and then announced that by next year, 2026, all Nigerian tertiary institutions will run on mini-grids that will make them fully energy-sufficient henceforth.
“The President has committed that by this time next year, literally all tertiary institutions in the country will have mini-grids that will make them energy-sufficient. “We need this to unleash the capabilities of our youth in the area of research, technology, and everything they do,” Alausa declared.
The minister further disclosed that a 5MW mini-grid had already been approved for the Epe campus of LASU; adding that the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) would deliver another 11MW mini-grid for the main campus in Ojo.
Alausa poured encomiums on the donor, Tunji Bello for the remarkable selfless feat of building the 550-seater ultra-modern auditorium.
“This is a living testament to how visionary citizens can shape institutions and inspire generations.”; the Minister stated.
The Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu who is the Visitor to the institution and who declared the project, open for use, hailed Bello, a former Lagos State Commissioner, Secretary to the State Government, journalist and lawyer, for fulfilling his pledge of investing in education despite notable economic challenges in the country.
Said Sanwo-Olu: “This magnificent edifice is more than a building; it is a beacon of knowledge, creativity, cultural exchange and intellectual engagement.
“It stands as a testament to giving back to society”.
The governor hinted that in the next 60 days, the state government would inaugurate the largest university library in Nigeria on the Ojo main campus of LASU plus other facilities to further enhance learning environment for the students.
“We remain resolute in our commitment to strengthening LASU’s place as Nigeria’s foremost state university.
“With projects like these, our vision of a globally competitive institution is within reach,” the governor said.
A former Ogun State governor, Aremu Olusegun Osoba, described the project as a mark of gratitude and selflessness.
Osoba remarked that in the norm, many Nigerians of Tunji Bello’s status would have spent hundreds of millions on parties for milestone birthdays, but the FCCPC boss instead, decided to channel such resources into a project that would be of benefit to education and society.
“We Nigerians will say things are hard, yet I still go to parties where decoration alone costs about N200m and food not less than N500m. Tunji could have chosen to celebrate lavishly but he decided to put that money to into the use of humanity.
“For this, we thank God for his life,” Osoba exuded.
The 86-year-old Akinrogun of Ègbáland, who recalled that he had shared a long bond of friendship with Bello since their days as journalists, described the donor as “a man of honour who has remained committed to humanity and education.”
He further lauded Bello for his contributions to education and society, stressing that such acts of service reflect the values of the Southwest.
“We are celebrating a man who has given to society, a man doing everything possible to elevate education. That is the hallmark of those of us from the Southwest,” ; Osoba exuded.
Explaining why he embarked on the project, the donor, Bello, said the gesture was his way of investing in posterity rather than fleeting personal celebrations.
“By choosing to invest the money through sowing the seed in the vineyard of knowledge, I believe we are invariably preserving my 60th birthday cake in a way that it will be shared and savoured by many generations to come,” he said.
He revealed that the idea was first suggested by his wife, the current LASU VC, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, and that the construction began in 2021 with the support of friends and associates whom he passionately impressed upon to monitise their intended birthday gifts in order to help him garner the required financial muscle for the project.
Despite facing financial challenges due to the general inflation in the country, Bello recalled that he remained committed, even as he sold a personal property in Magodo and poured the proceeds into the completion of the auditorium project.
“Certainly, the government alone cannot do it. Private individuals who really have the means should invest in public tertiary education to create more opportunities,” Bello appealed.
He urged students to utilise the facility very well, telling them to draw inspiration from the inscription at the entrance: “Investment in education pays the best interest.”
The VC, Prof. Olatunji-Bello noted the facility is beyond a mere architectural beauty, but a strategic investment in academic excellence and institutional identity.
“It reinforces the fundamental truth that when we invest in education, we invest in tomorrow’s leaders. Hon. Tunji Bello has, through word and deed, inscribed his name in the permanent record of LASU’s growth story,” she enthused.
Dignitaries at the event were drawn from both federal and state levels, alongside political leaders, technocrats, and traditional rulers. Among them were the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, members of the House of Representatives, including Wale Raji,Dr Paul Kalejaye, and Hon. Wale Oshun.
Others were Rashid Shabi of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Barr. Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Bode Agoro, Head of Service, and Mr. Tolani Sule, Commissioner for Tertiary Education.
The occasion was also graced by Mr. Adeniran Kasali, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tertiary Education, and Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Lagos State. Also at the occasion were Rt. Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr. Babatunde Irukera, former CEO and Executive Vice Chairman of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), and Mr. Adeniji Kazim, SAN, a former cabinet member and Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
The traditional institution was equally represented by the Oloja of Epe, Alaiyeluwa Oba Kamorudeen Ishola Animashaun.
Media friends include the Chairman, Editorial Board of The Nation Newspaper, Sam Omatseye, Sanya Oni, Tunji Adegboyega, among others.