From Yomi Adeboye, Lagos
Palpable air of gratitude, glitz and glamour pervaded the home of the Sagayas in the serene neighbourhood of Osborne Foreshore Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos on April 12, 2026.
On that special Sunday, some of Nigeria’s leading lights exchanged friendly banters and mutual backslapping at the event organized to celebrate one of Nigeria’s most successful entrepreneurs, iconic engineer, distinguished community leader and uncommon philanthropist, Engr. Yusuf Lanre Sagaya, MFR, OFR, on the occasion of his 80th birthday.
The event was not just another birthday party but the celebration of a man whose life has been the exemplification of dedication to professional excellence, entrepreneurship, community service and uncommon philanthropy.
The Zannah of Ilorin Emirate, a man whose many titles— MFR, OFR, FNSE, FAEng, FNIStructE— among others, read like a roadmap of excellence, was evidently delighted as he welcomed to his expansive home a galaxy of stellars from across royalty, politics and the business elites for a milestone event.
Along with his ever supporting wife, Hajia Faridah Olabambo Sagaya, the birthday ‘boy’ happily received the array of guests that included the Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq who led other eminent members of the political class from the celebrant’s State of Origin and other parts of the country.
His Imperial Majesty the 51st Ooni of Ile-Ife Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II; the Emir of Ilorin, represented by Barister Abubakar Bature Sulu-Gambari (Ciroma of Ilorin); the Oba of Lagos Oba Rilwan Akiolu represented by an array of High Chiefs, and Oba Adeshina were among the royal attendees.
Former Governor of Cross River State HE Donald Duke; Nigeria’s Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi; a former Inspector-General of Police Mr. Musiliu Smith (rtd); AIG. Tunji Alapini(rtd); Admiral Jubrila Ayinla; Gen. Niyi Sangotade; Engr. Jani Ibrahim; Alh. Tunde Badmus; Chief Chris Okunnowo; Alh. R.T. Lawal; Alh. A.W.A. Ibrahim; Professor Baale; Engr. Bayo Adeola; Dr. Ebun Bamigboye were at the ceremony.
Leading members of the Nigerian Bar present included a former Minister of Justice Chief Bayo Ojo, SAN; Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN; Alh. Dele Belgore, SAN and . Dr. Wale Babalakin, SAN.
Also present were Alh. Mashood Mustapha (a.k.a. MM); Engr. Suleiman Alapansanpa; Hajia Sinatu Ojikutu; Hajia Muinat Shagaya; Chief Mrs. Adelaja; Alh. Yakubu Gobir (Sarkin Gobir); Alh. Lukman Mustapha; Chief Charles Majoro; Prof. K. K. Kamaludeen; Prof. AbdulRazak; Prof. Rahman Bello; Amb. Sanni Balla; Mr. Edward Boyo; Dr. Segun Oshin; Dr. Walter Olatunde; Prof. Abduljelili Ojuade; Arc.A. Oshinkoya; Dr. Segun Demuren, among many others.
The celebrations commenced on a foundation of faith with special prayers led by a troika of eminent clerics—Sheikh Safihi Alaye, Sheikh AbdulRahman Sulaiman, and Sheikh Sulaiman Faruq Almiskin.
The accompanying sermon was devoid of the usual platitudes, focusing instead on the weight of a man’s legacy.
The clerics stressed the virtues of community love and the quiet generosity that has become the celebrant’s hallmark.
They reminded the gathered members of the elite class that a life well-lived is measured by the number of lives it uplifts.
The presence of the dignitaries painted a picture of Engr. Sagaya as a man who serves as a “bridge-builder” between the old guard and the new generation.
There was merriment with seamless blend of culture and contemporary flairs as Traditional Ewi Chanters serenaded the celebrant with poetic orations of his lineage and achievements, while a curated musical playlist bridged the gap between timeless “oldies” and modern hit tunes.
The 80-year-old icon, known more for his boardroom precision than his footwork, surprised many by taking to the dance floor in company of family members and well-wishers. Engr. Sagaya’s radiant smile reflected a man at peace with the journey called life.
Exquisite decor transformed the venue into a wonderland of sophistication as the evening was rounded off with fine dining. Yet, beneath the custom souvenirs and the “exquisite drinks,” the true theme of the night remained Engr. Sagaya’s enduring impact.
As guests departed, the consensus was clear: Yusuf Lanre Sagaya is not just an engineer of structures, but an engineer of hope and silent benefactor whose eight decades have left an indelible blueprint on the heart of the Ilorin Emirate and the Nigerian nation at large.
Engr. Yusuf Olanrewaju Sagaya is a seasoned and committed Engineer who has been engaged in the business of Consulting Engineering for the past five to six decades. He attended GSS Ilorin from 1960 – 1964, for WASC and GCE ‘O’ Levels and was the first set of Higher School Certificate HSC from 1965 – 1966 in the same school. He holds a Bachelor’s of Science Honours Degree in Civil Engineering from the Ahmadu Bello University, 1970 and a Masters of Science in Structural Engineering from the University of Ottawa in Canada, 1975.
His first job after his undergraduate studies with Ove Arup & Partners Nigeria from 1970 to 1972, where he actually ended up working with the founders of Etteh Aro & Partners, Engr. Rev. E.I. Etteh and late Engr. Lawrence Arokodare. He left Ove Arup & Partners in 1972 to work with Osot Associates in Ibadan before he proceeded to Canada in 1973 for his post-graduate program.
After graduating he worked for two leading firms in Ottawa and Toronto; De Leuw Cather & Partners and Mclaren International respectively. While working in Canada he was the primary design engineer for the multi-storey car park of Carlton University Ottawa, which is considered an iconic structure up until today. He was also a member of the team that designed the University of Lagos Science complex, Akoka and he was then transferred to Nigeria by Mclaren International to supervise the construction of the project from 1975-1976.
Engr. Lanre Sagaya left Mclaren to establish Yolas Consultants in June 1980 in Ilorin, Kwara State; the company he has nurtured to be one of the leading consulting engineering firms in Nigeria. Yolas now has an established long-term track record of successful project execution in Nigeria. Some examples projects completed from the onset include the Maitama District ‘Greenfield’ Infrastructure Design, Abuja and the Structural design of the 16 Storey Ministry of Agriculture building, Abuja.
In addition, many highway projects for the Federal Ministry of the Works and other projects for both private and public sector were completed in those early days.
He currently has in his employment over 60 Engineers of various qualifications, from Bachelors to Masters and Doctorate, in Yolas Consultants three offices in Ilorin, Lagos and Abuja. Over the years he has served as the co-ordinator of many World Bank (WB) and African Development Bank (AfDB) funded projects in Nigeria.
Examples include the Multi-States Road Project (MSRPII) Oyo State component (1994-2000) and the Nigerian National Road Network Study, 1999; both funded by the WB. The Three States, Kwara/Kogi/Niger, Health Projects, (1994-2000), funded by AfDB and the 7th Highway Sector Loan projects, covering Benue, Kogi, Taraba, Adamawa and Yobe States funded by the WB. Other major early projects he successfully co-ordinated include the Swashi Irrigation projects (1988-1992) in Kainji, Niger State; the National Rural and Urban Roads Rehabilitation (1996-2000) for Osun, Ekiti and Ondo States and the National Rural Water Supply Programme, Cross Rivers State for Petroleum (Special) Trust Fund (PTF) Abuja.
More recent Company projects include; The Design and Supervision of B6-B12 and Circle Roads in Abuja; the Rehabilitation of Warri Terminal C for the Nigerian Ports Authority; Design for the Rehabilitation of Apapa-Oworonsoki Expressway in Lagos; the Design of Dangote Refinery Deep Sea Port Access Roads in Lagos and Ogun States; Construction Supervision of the PTDF Headquarters building in Abuja and the Design and Supervision of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) improvements in Lagos.
Ongoing projects include the Design & Supervision of the Calabar to Abuja Super-Highway; Coordinating Consultants of the Dualisation of the 9th Mile Enugu to Makurdi Highway and Construction Supervision of the 2nd Niger Bridge Access Roads in Delta and Anambra States among others.
