The University of Lagos Faculty of Engineering Alumni Association (UNILAGFEAA) joins family, friends, associates and admirers in celebrating Engr. Otunba Justus Olugbenga Daniel, a distinguished alumnus of the Faculty of Engineering, on the occasion of his 70th birthday.

Special tribute adapted from a personal reflection by Engr. (Chief) Dideolu Falobi, FNSE, FIoD. Bobajiro of Ijesaland, Managing Director, Kresta Laurel Limited (2005 – Present)

There are individuals whose lives leave a lasting imprint not only through the offices they hold or the businesses they build, but through the people they inspire and the institutions they strengthen. Engr. Otunba Justus Olugbenga Daniel belongs firmly in that category.

As he marks his 70th birthday, UNILAGFEAA celebrates a man whose journey has combined engineering excellence, entrepreneurial vision, public service and mentorship. For the University of Lagos Faculty of Engineering alumni community, his life stands as a remarkable example of what is possible when technical training is matched with discipline, courage, leadership and a deep commitment to impact.

Born on April 6, 1956, Otunba Gbenga Daniel was shaped early by values of faith, discipline and learning. He attended Baptist Boys High School, Abeokuta, before proceeding to the University of Lagos, where he trained as an engineer. Those formative years laid the foundation for the qualities that would define his career: precision, focus, resilience and a strong instinct for solving problems.

He began his professional journey at H.F. Schroeder West Africa Limited, where he rose through the ranks and distinguished himself through competence and leadership, eventually becoming the first African Deputy Managing Director of the company. It was a notable achievement, but only one step in a larger story of enterprise and service.

In 1990, he founded Kresta Laurel Limited, which went on to become one of Nigeria’s leading engineering firms in electro-mechanical systems. Over the years, the company grew into more than a successful enterprise. It became a place where professionals were trained, opportunities were created, and younger engineers were challenged to grow. For many who passed through that space, it was also a school of leadership, discipline and high standards.

His transition into public office in 2003 opened another important chapter. As Governor of Ogun State, he brought to governance the mindset of an engineer and the outlook of a builder. His years in office were widely associated with infrastructural expansion, urban renewal, investment promotion and long-range thinking about development. Across Ogun State, his administration pursued projects aimed at opening up economic opportunity, strengthening public infrastructure and positioning the state for future growth.

Education and human capacity development also featured prominently in that vision. His support for institutions, knowledge-driven development and strategic economic initiatives reflected a belief that lasting progress depends on investing in people as much as in physical assets. Industrial initiatives, expanding economic activity and broader development planning became key aspects of his legacy in office.

Yet, beyond public achievements, what many who have worked closely with him remember most is his personal discipline, eye for detail, belief in excellence and willingness to recognise potential in others. He is widely respected not only for what he has accomplished, but for the seriousness, energy and consistency with which he has pursued every assignment placed before him.

That personal impact comes through especially strongly in the tribute by Engr. (Chief) Dideolu Falobi, who reflects on a relationship spanning more than three decades. What began as a professional encounter in 1989 grew into a mentorship that helped shape a career and deepen values of hard work, responsibility and leadership. In that sense, this celebration is not only about public milestones, but also about quiet influence — the kind that changes lives over time.

For UNILAGFEAA, this dimension matters deeply. Alumni legacies are not measured only by titles attained, but also by the doors opened for others, the standards set in professional life, and the example offered to younger generations. In Engr. Otunba Gbenga Daniel, the Faculty of Engineering can point to an alumnus whose life has spanned engineering, enterprise, governance and human development with uncommon distinction.

As he turns 70, we celebrate not just a notable career, but a legacy of industry, leadership and enduring relevance. We honour a proud son of the University of Lagos whose contributions have resonated across business, public service and mentorship.

UNILAGFEAA warmly congratulates Engr. Otunba Justus Olugbenga Daniel on this milestone birthday and prays that the years ahead will bring him renewed strength, good health, greater fulfilment and continued opportunity for meaningful service to society.