Former Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and seasoned public servant, Mr. Tunji Bello, has revealed the motivation behind his decision to build a state-of-the-art auditorium for Lagos State University (LASU), describing the project as a testimony of faith, sacrifice, and commitment to public good.
Speaking at the commissioning, Bello explained that the journey began during his 60th birthday in 2021, when his wife, Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello—now Vice Chancellor of LASU—suggested that he mark the milestone by building a lasting legacy for the institution.
“The idea of throwing a big party was completely off the table. Eventually, I agreed it had to be an auditorium—befitting and fit for purpose,” Bello said.
Although the initial budget was overwhelming, Bello adopted a creative fundraising strategy, asking friends and well-wishers to convert birthday gifts into cash donations. A businessman who intended to present him with a brand-new SUV was persuaded to instead channel the value into the project.
Despite financial setbacks, including inflation and rising costs in 2023 and 2024, Bello pushed forward, even selling his Magodo property to prevent the project from being abandoned.
“When God gives you a vision, He also provides the means. There were moments of doubt, but faith carried us through,” he noted.
Bello stressed that his motivation was deeply rooted in a lifelong belief in education, recalling how his father once donated land for the establishment of Ansar-Ud-Deen College, and how his late boss and mentor, MKO Abiola, as well as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, invested heavily in educational endowments.
The new LASU auditorium, he said, is not just a building but a legacy of knowledge and inspiration. Quoting Benjamin Franklin’s famous words engraved on the marble entrance—“Investment in education pays the best interest”—Bello urged students to draw inspiration from the facility to pursue excellence.
In addition to the building, Bello announced that VDT Communications has provided free WiFi for the auditorium, while a private management company will oversee its maintenance for one year before handing it over to LASU authorities.
“This is my token of appreciation to God Almighty and to Lagos State, which once gave me a scholarship as an undergraduate at the University of Ibadan. By investing in LASU, I believe we are sowing seeds that future generations will harvest,” Bello said.
He concluded by calling on other well-meaning Nigerians to support public universities, noting that government alone cannot bridge the infrastructural gap in tertiary education.