Prominent Nigerian billionaire businessman, lotto pioneer and philanthropist Chief Kessington Adebukunola Adebutu, popularly known as Baba Ijebu, marked his 91st birthday last week.
The founder of Premier Lotto, who was born on October 24, 1935, in Iperu-Remo, Ogun State, shared photos with his family to celebrate the milestone .
Adebutu remains active in business and philanthropy at 91. Just a day before his birthday, he donated a multi-billion-naira state-of-the-art building to the Lagos State Security Trust Fund . The purpose-built headquarters in Ikeja is valued at over N800 million, alongside five patrol vehicles, and was inaugurated by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The billionaire, who holds the traditional title of Odole Oodua of Yorubaland, has built an empire spanning gaming, banking, engineering, real estate, oil and gas, and agriculture. Through Neemtree Limited, he holds about 28 per cent of Wema Bank, making him its largest individual shareholder, and he chairs the listed engineering firm Arbico Plc .
His philanthropy runs through the Kessington Adebukunola Adebutu Foundation, established in 2005, which spends about N150 million monthly on hospital bills, education and support for the poor .
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo paid a surprise visit to Adebutu on his 91st birthday. The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, also sent congratulations, describing him as “a visionary leader, an extraordinary philanthropist, and a cheerful giver par excellence, whose mastery of the art of wealth has lifted humanity” .
Adebutu’s son, Ladi Adebutu, the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate for the 2027 election in Ogun State, penned a tribute titled “Things My Father Taught Me,” writing: “Baba, you taught me that success is nothing without a good name and character. You taught me to work hard, speak the truth and keep my word, even when it costs something” .
In October 2025, President Bola Tinubu conferred the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger on Adebutu during a visit to his Lagos residence .