FUNSHO AROGUNDADE
There is a particular kind of presence that does not announce itself. It does not compete for the loudest corner of the room or engineer the most photographed moment of the occasion. It simply creates space and trusts that the right people will find their way into it. That presence belonged to Belinda Olubunmi Ajoke Disu.
In an era defined by visibility and reputation anchored in public display, the aura around Bella Disu —as the daughter of uber-wealthy billionaire, Dr. Mike Adenuga Jnr. simply called— is warm and restrained.
Like her father, Bella has led a very unobtrusive lifestyle. Despite her pedigree, this privileged lady never curated glamour. She has deliberately chosen a quieter, more deliberate path and measured lifestyle. There is no denying the fact that her father raised her well and gave her responsibilities early in life. A lover of Paris, France, over the years, she has been accompanying her father to Paris on his business trips and then becoming an active participant as the family business go into various partnerships with major French giants including Total, BNP Paribas, Alcatel, to name a few.
As an Adenuga, Bella is architecturally positioned at the intersection of Nigeria’s most critical industries. She is the Executive Vice Chairman of Globacom and Vice President of The Mike Adenuga Group, the family conglomerate with core interests in energy, telecoms, construction, real estate, banking, and infrastructure spanning continents. Within that dynasty, Bella has clearly proven herself capable. She surely knows how to hold her ground, tame business rivals and avoid distractions capable of impeding the smooth roll of her exploits in every field of endeavour.
Yes, Bella has access not just to fortune but to the commanding heights. With brain, beauty and wealth interwoven, Bella, on her own merit, is systemic. Her story is not only of dynastic power but of individual achievement. She is a globally recognized thought leader with more than two decades of experience, multiple degrees, and a list of honours that would fill a page. What stands her out is not the quantity, it’s the integration. She combines business, art, philanthropy, and leadership in a single tapestry.
Bella is not just a businesswoman but a conglomerate in human form gradually building own empire with precision. With substantial investments in many blue chips and public quoted companies —she sits on boards of most of them— but her magnum opus is Cobblestone Properties & Estates Ltd —a luxury property development firm with portfolio such as Sisi Paris Tower, Niger Towers, The Bella’s Place, Ile Oja in Ikoyi & Opebi, and JDD Court amongst others.
Her proficiency in high-stakes contract negotiation and project management has guided the successful execution of significant projects, including the development of the Alliance Française Mike Adenuga Centre, an impressive cultural hub commissioned by French President Emmanuel Macron in 2018. This feat fetched her the French Government recognition of the prestigious Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 2019.
For three consecutive years, she has been honoured by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu as part of the Lagos State Eko100 Women initiative. In 2022 and 2023, she was listed on the Choiseul 100Africa ranking as a key figure shaping Africa’s economic future. Bella is an avid supporter of the arts and a long-term patron of the Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON). She is also the Director of the Mike Adenuga Centre, where she plays a pivotal role in promoting French and Nigerian cultures. In 2022 and 2023, she was listed on the Choiseul 100 Africa ranking as a key figure shaping Africa’s economic future. In 2019, the French Government recognised her commitment and awarded her the prestigious Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.
The mother of three —who has been happily married for 17 years to venture capitalist Jameel Disu— has always been a source of inspiration and role model to many women. All these virtues further came alive yesterday Friday May 29 when she clocked 40.
On this memorable day, there was a tremendous excitement in the air as family members, friends and well-wishers flooded various social media platforms with congratulatory messages and more messages of good wishes and prayers on the august occasion to celebrate the elegant tycoon.
Prior to her birthday, Bella, for several weeks, had run a countdown on her social media platforms. This offered a glimpse into how she would celebrate the milestone age. And as expected, there’s no Owambe rather an exclusive, lavish birthday dinner held at an exquisite private venue in Lagos that had in attendance close family members and a slew of the heiress’ rich and famous friends.
Also as part of the 40th birthday celebration, Bella, through her Foundation hosted the very first edition of the ‘Bella Disu Open’ —one of Lagos’ newest junior tennis tournaments for U-14 boys and girls across Nigeria. The Grand Finale will hold today Saturday May 30 at the iconic courts of the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan, Lagos. Winners will walk away with a tennis scholarship and premium tennis prizes.
Some people are born into the empire; others spend their lives building the gate. For Bella, she has built a whole ecosystem —she runs businesses, builds cities, writes children’s books, play piano, advises presidents and still finds time to nurture female leaders— not sequentially but simultaneously.
At 40, Bella is just getting started as she steps into the new chapter with clarity, confidence and grace while looking peaceful, feeling like purpose and divine alignment.
