Veteran Nollywood actor and filmmaker, Adebayo Salami, popularly known as Oga Bello, has said he has no intention of bequeathing houses or properties to his children, stressing that he has already given them the greatest inheritance — education.
In a recent interview with the Nigerian Tribune, the 71-year-old actor and patriarch, who has 18 children from two wives, stated that his focus throughout his life has been to ensure that his children are educated, rather than accumulating material wealth for them.
“I don’t want to leave any properties for my children. I just need two houses — one in Lagos and one in my hometown. If you meet any money in my account, share it. I’m passionate about education,” he declared.
Oga Bello, whose acting career began in 1964 with the Young Concert Party led by the late Baba Mero, explained that his upbringing without parental support for education influenced his decision to prioritise academic success for his children.
“Even if it’s just a first degree, I wanted all my children to be educated,” he said, noting that education was a non-negotiable requirement in his household.
On their entry into the film industry, Bello said he never imposed his career path on his children. Rather, he allowed them to pursue acting only after meeting strict academic conditions.
“I didn’t bring or force them into the industry. Whenever I was going for rehearsals and they wanted to follow, I would say no, except they had good results in school. That made them work hard,” he recalled.
Reflecting on life in old age, the respected actor admitted that ageing comes with its own set of challenges, especially in a society where there is little structural or cultural preparation for retirement.
“Old age comes with challenges. Preparing for old age is personal. Here in Nigeria, we don’t take it seriously across professions. I invested in my children. In old age, they will take care of me,” he concluded.
Oga Bello’s comments have sparked conversations around the value of education over material inheritance, and the role of responsible parenting in shaping future generations.
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