Billionaire heiress, Bella Disu, earns her flowers

By Funsho Arogundade

There’s no gainsaying that Belinda Ajoke Olubunmi Disu is a beacon of brilliance. The boardroom queen widely known as Bella Disu exemplifies a modern renaissance woman: innovative, empathetic, strategic, and fiercely committed to impact. While it’s said that ingenuity can seldom be passed down to a progeny, Bella, in her own case, is proving to be a chip off the old block as she’s fast mirroring her legendary billionaire father, Dr Mike Agbolade Adenuga Jnr. —both in the business world and philanthropy. Bella is not just cut from the same cloth; she is carving her own path. She is demonstrating brilliance and resilience akin to her father’s while making an altogether profound impact on Africa’s business landscape.

Her journey from a teenage intern to a respected position as the executive vice chairman of Globacom —Nigeria’s second national operator— is a testament to her vision, resilience, and purposeful ambition. Despite being the founder’s daughter, her path was anything but smooth as she learnt the rope to climb the ladder organically till she rose to become the head honcho of the multimillion-dollar telecoms giants.

Bella has led with a distinctive mix of humility and drive. Her leadership style is deeply collaborative as seen in Globacom’s current expanding reach and influence. She is also a multi-sectoral leader with influence extending to real estate and manufacturing. She has skin in the game at some bluechip companies including Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Abumet Plc and Cobblestone, to mention a few.

In all, Bella is already carving a legacy going beyond inheritance. Her personal achievements reflect her inter-sectoral leadership which was a hallmark of her versatility and forward-thinking as a member of the Nigerian Institute of Management and the Chartered Institute of Director —she was certified as a member in 2019. Indeed, her commitment to quality, innovation, and excellence spurred the latter to confer on Bella the honour of Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Directors. On October 9, Bella, alongside other notable business leaders, were conferred Fellows of the Chartered Institute of Directors (F.CIoD). In a message she put out on her social media platform, Bella wrote: “Leadership is never about the moment; it’s about the mark we leave behind….As I embrace this new chapter, I remain committed to leadership that endures: one defined by foresight, integrity, and meaningful contribution to both business and society.”

Beyond her public achievements and corporate success, Bella remains grounded. A mother and wife, the well-bred lady balances family with an intense professional schedule — exemplifying the kind of wholeness today’s young female leaders should aspire to.

Early this year, during the International Women’s month, Bella earned her flowers as she received dual honours from Forbes and Arise News —recognitions which underscore her significant contributions to business and philanthropy in Africa. Prior to that, in 2019, Bella —an arts enthusiast who will be 40 next May 29— emerged as one of the youngest recipients of the French national honour ever when she was conferred with the award of ‘Chevalier dans l’ordre des Arts et des Lettres’ by the French Government. The award was in recognition of Bella’s remarkable support for arts and culture, especially her coordination of the construction of the imposing Alliance Francaise Mike Adenuga Centre, Ikoyi, Lagos.