By Yinka Giwa
Chief Kessington Adebukunola Adebutu, the iconic businessman and philanthropist fondly known to millions as Baba Ijebu, turns 90 today, October 24, 2025, and tributes are pouring in from across Nigeria to celebrate his remarkable life of enterprise, generosity, and impact.
Born on October 24, 1935, in Iperu-Remo, Ogun State, Chief Adebutu has spent nine decades building a legacy that spans business innovation, community service, and philanthropy. His journey from humble beginnings to becoming one of Nigeria’s most respected industrialists and benefactors has inspired generations of entrepreneurs and civic leaders alike.
Educated at Ijero Baptist School, Apapa Road, Ebute-Meta; Baptist Academy, Lagos; and Remo Secondary School, Sagamu, Adebutu’s early years reflected a strong commitment to learning, discipline, and leadership. His parents, Alhaji Karimu Folarin and Alhaja Seliat Olasimbi Adebutu, instilled in him the values of hard work and compassion that would later define his life’s mission.
After beginning his career at Classic Chemical Limited, where he rose from salesman to sales manager, Adebutu’s entrepreneurial spirit soon took centre stage. He went on to co-found Premier Lotto Limited, now famously known as Baba Ijebu, which grew from a modest pools-betting venture into one of Africa’s most successful gaming enterprises. Under his visionary leadership, the company became a symbol of trust, innovation, and economic empowerment, providing thousands of jobs and supporting the Nigerian economy for decades.
Beyond the gaming industry, Chief Adebutu expanded his investments into agriculture, real estate, and manufacturing, demonstrating a keen understanding of Nigeria’s economic potential and diversification needs. Yet, despite his vast business success, he has remained grounded, maintaining close ties to his Iperu-Remo roots and prioritizing community upliftment over personal luxury.
In recognition of his contributions to commerce, national development, and humanitarian service, Chief Adebutu has been conferred with several national and traditional honours. He holds prestigious titles including Odole-Oodua, Babalaje of Lagos, and Asoju Oba of Lagos. The Federal Government has also decorated him with the national honours of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) and Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON). He has further received honorary doctorate degrees from notable Nigerian universities, including Olabisi Onabanjo University, for his contributions to business and education.
However, it is his philanthropy that has perhaps defined his legacy most profoundly. Through the Kessington Adebukola Adebutu Foundation (KAAF), he has transformed countless lives through sustained investments in education, healthcare, and youth empowerment. His initiatives include the donation of libraries and laboratories to schools, the construction of a state-of-the-art library at Crescent University, Abeokuta, in honour of his late mother, and the establishment of scholarship and medical outreach programmes across the country.
Chief Adebutu’s philosophy on giving is rooted in his belief that “an educated and healthy person is unlikely to go hungry.” This principle has guided his decades-long commitment to improving access to knowledge, opportunity, and wellness for all Nigerians, regardless of background.
As celebrations to mark his 90th birthday unfold in Lagos, Iperu-Remo, and other parts of the country, messages of goodwill have continued to pour in from political leaders, business associates, and ordinary Nigerians alike. Many describe him as a symbol of integrity, resilience, and compassion—a man who used his success not merely to enrich himself, but to uplift communities.
From his modest beginnings to becoming a towering figure in Nigerian business and philanthropy, Chief Kessington Adebukunola Adebutu’s life is a shining testament to the power of vision, perseverance, and generosity.
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