Baba Ijebu at 90

EVEN if you previously knew very little about him, his 90th birthday festivities, attended by nearly every big name in the country, both in his Iperu hometown and in Lagos, certainly spoke eloquently about his personality. From royalty to the political and business elite, his birthday celebration drew Nigeria’s mightiest, home and abroad. That Sir Kessington Adebukunola Adebutu is famous and highly influential is not in doubt, but his life has not been about throwing his weight around. No. Instead, it has been about making real, demonstrable impact in people’s lives, helping to change sad stories to happy ones, lifting the poor and the downtrodden out of the morass of poverty and despondency; acting as an agent of change outside the trappings of politics and political leadership; living simply for the purpose of bringing cheer to his environment. Adebutu, the man simply known as Baba Ijebu,  is rather reticent and self-effacing, yet he counts as one of Nigeria’s most consistent philanthropists, launching foundations and donating buildings and funds to diverse institutions. He apparently measures his wealth not in the balance in his bank accounts but in the real, demonstrable impact he makes in the lives of people; in the sheer, pure joy that he spreads without ceasing. He is such a jolly good fellow.

Apparently, to his surprised exhilaration, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu decorated him with Nigeria’s second-highest national honour, the Grand Commander of the Order of Niger (GCON), at the thanksgiving service marking his 90th birthday in Lagos. In a statement released by the State House, the president had described him as a national icon and role model whose life reflects integrity, compassion, and enduring service to humanity. His words: “From a humble background in the serene town of Iperu-Iremo, where his life’s journey began, Chief Adebutu rose to national prominence as a businessman, philanthropist, and cultural icon who embodies the virtues of hard work, honour, and compassion.” The president noted Adebutu’s pioneering role in developing Nigeria’s modern lotto industry, saying his innovation “created jobs, sustained families, and inspired young Nigerians to believe in enterprise and diligence.” He added: “Through his admirable personality, business acumen, resilience, and benevolent spirit, Chief Adebutu distinguished himself as one of Nigeria’s most outstanding entrepreneurs. His remarkable contributions to business, philanthropy, culture, and national development are footprints that will endure across generations. Through hard work and consistency, he became a national icon and role model. His entrepreneurial spirit — pioneering the modern lotto business — has created jobs, sustained families, and inspired young Nigerians. Through his foundation, countless indigent students have received scholarships, while communities have benefited from his support for youth programmes, sports, culture, and social development. He has remained a silent giver, touching lives without fanfare.”

Born in Iperu Remo in Ikenne Local Government of Ogun State on October 24, 1935, to Alhaji Karimu Folarin and Alhaja Seliat Olasimbi, Adebutu started his early education at Ijero Baptist School, Ebute-Meta, Lagos, then attended Baptist Academy, Lagos. He obtained his Secondary School Leaving Certificate in 1955, having attended Remo Secondary School, Sagamu. He worked with  Cable and Wireless Limited, (later called NITEL) and later joined Classic Chemical Limited, a pharmaceutical company that produces the popular Andrews Liver Salts and Cafenol. He started out as a salesman and later rose to become the sales manager. In the 60s, he set up his own company, a betting outfit, and also founded the Kessington Adebukola Adebutu Foundation. The premier pools betting and gaming company is called Baba Ijebu, but that is also the title by which millions of Nigerians fondly and affectionately refer to the billionaire business mogul, and it is also the unofficial title of betting in the country.  Hear the uncommon philanthropist who recently donated a N5.2bn research centre to the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, reflecting on his 90 years: “A good name is better than riches and that’s my guiding principle. To me, money is simply a means of living, but a good name lasts forever. That’s why I devote a large part of what I earn to helping the underprivileged. It may be hard to believe, but I spend most of my income on my community, and I’m happy doing so because it’s not by my power. I often say that many people work harder than I do, yet at 90, I’m still earning money.”

It came as no surprise, then, that in his determination to further lift up his immediate environment, Adebutu donated N4 billion for developmental projects in three local government areas and his hometown, Iperu Remo. The lotto magnate disclosed this during a symposium organised in his honour as part of activities marking his 90th birthday, announcing N1 billion each for Sagamu, Ikenne and Remo North local government areas, as well as N1 billion for the Iperu Akesan Development Association (IDA). That is vintage Adebutu. With a diverse portfolio of investments in various sectors, including lotto, agriculture, manufacturing, real estate, construction, hospitality and banking, Adebutu has, over the years, given firm support to educational initiatives and infrastructure development, donating buildings and equipment to libraries and educational institutions, including Crescent University and Moshood Abiola Polytechnic. He has donated medical equipment and diagnostic facilities to hospitals. He built the DIAMED Centre, a world-class medical facility in Victoria Island, Lagos, equipped with cutting-edge diagnostic technology, including Nigeria’s first 3D mammogram machine. He supported the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ) with a media resource centre. He has provided support to refugees and local communities and empowered youths through various initiatives and programmes. Through the Kessington Adebukunola Adebutu Foundation, the business mogul funds scholarships, medical outreach programmes, and youth empowerment schemes nationwide. It is no surprise, then, that  awards and recognitions have come his way, including OON, CON and now GCON, not to mention the highly revered traditional titles of Odole Oodua and Balogun of Remoland.

We salute Chief Adebutu at 90. He embodies selflessness. He is a philanthropist of philanthropists who is always concerned about people around him. He is a household name in Nigeria; he has created jobs and made a massive impact on the lives of people around him. Although he had a rough beginning in life, he has lived above the challenges, and must be celebrated for always seeking to help others out. He is a great asset to Ogun State, the land on which he resides as a proud homeboy. Happy birthday, Chief Adebutu. We wish you many more years in sound health and great wealth.