In a country where bureaucracy often builds walls, Tunji Bello, the executive vice-chairman of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), stands as a rare exception. As he marks his 65th birthday on July 1, colleagues and columnists are lining up to celebrate not just his office, but the man behind it.
Bello’s greatest asset is his relationship with people. His warmth draws others in as naturally as bees to honey. Across professional, political, and social circles, you’ll find individuals eager to testify to his kindness, generosity, and readiness to help. He is celebrated not because he holds a high position, but because he has touched lives in meaningful ways.
This is a stark contrast to the typical Nigerian public official, who often erects invisible barriers, making access difficult and collaboration daunting. Bello, a journalist, lawyer, and veteran public servant, has none of that.
My own experience proves this. As a development communication scholar, I sought a sabbatical placement outside academia, hoping to cross institutional boundaries and enrich my work. I approached several federal agencies. The responses ranged from indifference to outright contempt. One agency treated my request with a degree of disdain that was disheartening. It reinforced a painful reality: access often depends on rigid official cultures, not merit.
Then I reached out to Tunji Bello. We hadn’t seen each other in nearly a decade. I sent him a brief message about my search, with no grand expectations. Years apart and his heavy responsibilities could have warranted silence. Instead, he replied quickly: “We can fix it. Send in your papers.”
His response was marked by openness, empathy, and a willingness to look beyond bureaucracy. He even gave me complete freedom to choose when to start. When I notified his wife, the Vice-Chancellor, she simply congratulated me. No unnecessary bureaucracy, no drama. Like husband, like wife.
But Bello’s gesture wasn’t about dispensing favors to acquaintances. On my first day, he advised me to study the Commission carefully. “The researcher that you are,” he said, “see how you can fill the gaps so we can appreciate you.” Instead of prescribing tasks, he gave me intellectual freedom. Instead of demanding compliance, he challenged me to create value.
I’ve since worked to reciprocate that trust, integrating consumer protection perspectives into my public commentaries. It’s my way of appreciating his rare blend of humanity and leadership.
Under Bello, the FCCPC has become one of Nigeria’s most visible and impactful regulatory institutions. He brings not just competence and experience, but the tenacity of a journalist and the attention to detail of a good lawyer. I knew him first as an editor at Concord Press, where he stood out for his intellectual depth, professional rigor, and warmth toward colleagues. Working with him again after so many years has been deeply gratifying.
As someone privileged to know Tunji Bello, I remain proud and grateful. My best wishes go to a man whose humanity is as impressive as his accomplishments.
