Adebayo Salami doesn’t want to be remembered for the number of houses he left behind.
Not when he has 18 children walking around with degrees.
The man we’ve all known for decades — Oga Bello, a true Yoruba screen veteran and cultural compass in Nollywood’s early days — is rewriting the narrative of legacy. And no, it’s not about owning plots of land or naming estates after your surname.
In a raw, no-frills chat with Nigerian Tribune, the legend made it plain: he’s not leaving houses or cars. Just minds sharpened by books.
“I don’t want to leave any properties for my children,” he said. “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.”
Let’s get one thing straight. This isn’t bitterness. It’s clarity. A man who grew up without much academic support, he knew early on — especially after taking on polygamy — that the smartest way to equip his family wasn’t in square footage or bank statements.
“Even if it’s just a first degree, I wanted all my children to be educated,” he declared.
And it worked. His kids didn’t just finish school; they flourished. Some of them are already carrying the family name on film sets — most notably Femi Adebayo, one of Nollywood’s finest exports.
But Oga Bello didn’t lure them into stardom. He set the rules: school first, art later.
“I didn’t bring or force them to 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.”
This is more than parenting; it’s strategy.
As for ageing — the part everyone avoids — he doesn’t. Oga Bello faces it head-on. “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.”
This isn’t a Nollywood plot twist. This is a man, after 60+ years in the game, standing on principles. Not property.
In an era where celebrity children are flaunting trust funds and vacation homes, Oga Bello gave his children something recession-proof: a brain, not bricks.
