President Bola Tinubu appoints Olatunji Bello as the CEO and Executive Vice-Chairman of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), pending Senate confirmation.
The Quest Times Recalls that Olatunji has served the Former Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode as the Secretary to the State Government on the 29th May 2015 serving till the end of Akinwunmi Ambode’s administration in 2019.
Olatunji, a seasoned lawyer, administrator, and journalist, is expected to advance consumer protection and ensure quality and safety standards for goods and services in Nigeria.
President Bola Tinubu has appointed Olatunji Bello as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Executive Vice-Chairman (EVC) of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), pending Senate confirmation.
Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, made the announcement, highlighting Bello’s extensive background as a lawyer, administrator, and journalist. Bello, who previously served as the Secretary to the Lagos State Government, holds a Master’s degree in International Law and Diplomacy from the University of Lagos, where he also studied Law and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2002.
Bello’s career began in journalism with Concord Newspapers in 1985, where he rose to the positions of Group Political Editor, Sunday Concord Editor, and Editor of National Concord. He is also a recipient of the US Alfred Friendly Press Fellowship and served as Chairman of the Editorial Board of THISDAY Newspapers in 2001. Additionally, Bello has held the position of Commissioner for Environment in various Lagos State administrations.
Ngelale expressed President Tinubu’s confidence in Bello’s ability to ensure the comprehensive realization of FCCPC’s mandate, which includes protecting and promoting the interests and welfare of Nigerian consumers and implementing measures to ensure the safety and quality of goods and services.
This appointment follows the removal of Babatunde Irukera as CEO and EVC of the FCCPC six months ago. Irukera, initially appointed as Director General (DG) of the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) in April 2017, transitioned to EVC of the FCCPC after its establishment in December 2019.
Tinubu’s selection of Bello reflects his commitment to strengthening consumer protection and competition regulation in Nigeria. Bello’s extensive experience in law, governance, and journalism positions him well to lead the FCCPC in achieving its objectives
His Political Profile
Mr. Olatunji’s mainstream national political career started when he served as the Special Assistant to Bashorun MKO Abiola, winner of the annulled June 12, 1993, Presidential election. After the annulment of the epochal election, Tunji Bello became a member of the Nigerian pro-democracy group, NADECO which fought for the actualisation of Democracy in Nigeria, which was active from 1993 to 1999.
After the handing over from the Military rule to the Democratic dispensation in 1999, Tunji Bello joined the former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmeed Tinubu in his cabinet. He served as the Head of Signage and Advertising Agency (LASSA) and also the Commissioner for Environment in the Asiwaju administration in 2003.
In July 2011, he joined the Governor Babatunde Fashola’s administration as he was sworn in by the Governor as Commissioner for Environment where he served till May 29, 2015
In 2015, after the swearing in of the former Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, Tunji Bello was appointed as the Secretary to the State Government on the 29th May 2015 serving till the end of Akinwunmi Ambode’s administration in 2019.
In 2019, He joined the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration and he was sworn in by the Governor in 2019 as the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, following the confirmation of his nomination as a cabinet member by the State House of Assembly and he is still in service.