Veteran Nollywood actor Adebayo Salami, affectionately known as Oga Bello, recently shared a perspective on legacy that stands apart from the norm—and it’s sparking conversation.
In a candid interview with the Nigerian Tribune, the respected filmmaker revealed that he has no intention of leaving behind multiple houses or property for his children. For him, the real inheritance has already been passed on: education.
As a husband to two wives and father of 18 children, Oga Bello said he made a conscious decision early in life to invest heavily in his children’s education rather than accumulate material wealth.
“I’m not leaving properties for them,” he said. “I only need two houses—one here in Lagos, and one in my hometown. Whatever is left in my bank account, they can share it. My heart is in education.”
Reflecting on his own past, the actor recalled how he didn’t have the benefit of parental support when it came to schooling. That experience, he said, fueled his deep desire to give his children what he never had.
“All I asked was that they at least get a first degree,” he added.
The Nollywood icon, whose career dates back to 1964 when he joined the Young Concert Party led by the late Baba Mero, also touched on how his children found their way into the entertainment industry—not by force, but by choice.
“I never pushed them into acting,” he explained. “They showed interest, and I supported them—but only if their grades were good. That way, they knew I meant business.”
Beyond parenting, Oga Bello got real about aging and what it means to grow old in an industry—and a country—that doesn’t always plan for it.
“Old age comes with its own trials,” he said. “But preparing for that phase is a personal responsibility. Many of us don’t think about it early enough. I chose to invest in my children, and I believe they’ll look after me when the time comes.”
His words carry a simple but powerful message: True legacy isn’t always found in land or buildings—it’s in the values and opportunities we pass on.
