Numerous stories about people who rose from nothingness to greatness, from virtually nothing to stardom. Chief Kensington Adebutu, popularly known as “Baba Ijebu” is a personality that walked his way from poverty to abundance.
Chief Adebutu is the Chief Executing Officer (CEO) of Premier Lotto Limited (PLL), a Gaming company created in 2001. The Lotto business has grown exponentially across Nigeria, especially in Western Nigeria.
Owing to the influence of Chief Adebutu, the modern-day lotto has been nicknamed ‘Baba Ijebu’. Despite the evolution of modern games like sports betting and casinos, Baba Ijebu Lotto has remained relevant. The brand has retrofitted the initial concept by integrating technological innovations, providing online gaming that competes with new-generation bookies.
Chief Adebutu is one of Nigeria’s current prominent and influential billionaires, and there’s a story behind his infamous “baba Ijebu”
Chief Adebutu was born in his native town, Ipetu Remo, in Ikenne township, Ogun state, Nigeria. He started his education at Wesley Primary school till Primary 4. He then moved to Lagos to continue his primary school education at Ijero Baptist School in Ebute-Metta, Lagos, where he finished his primary school education. He was an intelligent pupil who came top of his class in the Primary School Leaving Certificate Examination at Ijero Baptist school.
He continued his academic pursuit at Baptist Academy, Lagos, where he had his secondary education. After his secondary school, Chief Adebutu was offered a scholarship to be trained as a teacher at Iwo Baptist College, which he rejected. Instead, he opted to work at Cable and Wireless Ltd, later renamed NITEL. After a while, he moved to work with Claflin Chemical Ltd. This pharmaceutical company supplied Andrew Liver salt to many Nigerian drug stores, first as a sales manager and was later promoted to work as a regional overseer in the same company.
Despite being the regional overseer of the company, Chief Adebutu resigned and started his own business. However, his time in the company equipped him with the required business experience and skills that helped him as an entrepreneur.
He started a pool betting business with just a table, pen, and paper which eventually grew into a full-fledged Lotto business. In 2001, Chief Adebutu established Premier Lotto Limited (PLL), Baba Ijebu Lotto, which has since become a household name. What started as a napkin idea has now exploded into a multi-billion naira industry. Especially in western Nigeria and the far South, the Baba Ijebu lottery has agents on 2 out of 5 streets.
Although several Nigerians have won huge amounts from Baba Ijebu; it is important to mention that the lotto is a game of chance and losses could also be devastating.
