Beverages Tycoon, Sulaiman Adegunwa’s Lifesaving N1.5bn Gift For His 80th Birthday

FUNSHO AROGUNDADE

Alhaji Sulaiman Adebola Adegunwa, one of Nigeria’s leading business moguls and philanthropists, has donated a state-of-the-art trauma center worth N1.5 billion to the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH) in Sagamu, Ogun State.

The center, which was completed in less than a year, marks a major step forward in the region’s emergency healthcare capabilities.

The center —named Sulaiman Adebola Adegunwa Trauma Centre—  was a lifesaving gift in celebration of his 80th birthday.

It was officially commissioned by the Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima and designed to become a regional referral hub for trauma care in Ogun and neighboring states.

The 50-bed center is equipped with advanced diagnostic tools, including MRI and CT scanners, and specialized operating theatres for neurosurgery, cardiothoracic, and orthopedic treatments. Its goal is to reduce preventable deaths and alleviate pressure on the hospital’s overwhelmed emergency services.

“This trauma center is a dream come true,” said Oluwabunmi Fatungase, Chief Medical Director of OOUTH, during the commissioning ceremony. “We currently handle over 2,000 trauma cases monthly. This intervention couldn’t have come at a better time.”

The teaching hospital, affiliated with Olabisi Onabanjo University and primarily funded by the Ogun State Government, has long struggled with overwhelming patient volumes and limited trauma infrastructure.

Adegunwa, the founder and chairman of Essay Holdings Limited—the parent company of Rite Foods Limited—has been a long-time supporter of OOUTH.

In 1995, Adegunwa, the Asiwaju of Ijebuland, donated an Audio-Visual Centre to the hospital, and this new gift further underscores his commitment to improving healthcare in the region.

“It gives me immense joy to contribute meaningfully to the health of our people,” he remarked. “Healthcare is fundamental, and this is my way of giving back to a community that has shaped me.” Governor Dapo Abiodun praised the donation as a pivotal step toward strengthening Ogun State’s healthcare framework. “This is more than philanthropy—it’s legacy building,” he said.

Adegunwa, OFR, clocked 80th on Friday April 4.

He is a visionary leader whose daring leadership reshaped Nigeria’s food and beverage industry. A firm believer in the Nigerian dream, Adegunwa has proven that with resilience, innovation, and an unshakable commitment to excellence, a wholly Nigerian brand can thrive on a global scale.

Through Rite Foods, Adegunwa has not only redefined industry standards but has built a legacy that continues to shape the nation.

Beyond his business empire, which includes investments in food processing and agribusiness, Adegunwa also founded Sulaimon College of Education in Ososa, Ogun State, and serves as a director at Thai Farm International Limited, a cassava processing company. He was also the former chairman of Sterling Bank Plc.

In 2024, Adegunwa celebrated 60 years in business, stepping away from the daily operations of his companies while continuing to focus on philanthropy.

The trauma center stands as a powerful reminder of his decades-long commitment to entrepreneurship, community development, and giving back to the people who helped shape his success.

The foremost industrialist has been described as a national treasure whose vision and impact will inspire generations to come.