Colonel Sani Bello (rtd) was born in 1942 at Kontagora, Niger State. He attended Kontagora Primary School in 1950 and Bida Government College 1957, before joining the Nigerian Army as a Cadet in December 1962. He attended the prestigious Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in England and graduated as a 2nd Lieutenant in July 1965. On commission, he returned to Nigeria and was posted to 1st Battalion, Nigerian Army Enugu as a Platoon Commander. He held various posts in the Army as he progressed in ranks, including ADC to the Supreme Commander, Company Commander, Assistant Quarter Master General of 3rd marine Commando Division of Nigerian Army, Deputy Adjutant General of the Army and the 1st Nigerian Principal Staff officer at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji. A post he held until he retired in August 1979. He was also a Military Governor of old Kano State from 1975 – 1978.
After retirement in 1979, Colonel Bello held various part time appointments as chairman of Niger State Green Revolution, Niger State NYSC, Niger State Polytechnic and Niger State Science and Technical School Board. He also served as Nigerian High Commissioner (Ambassador) to Zimbabwe from 1984- 1986. On his return home from Zimbabwe, Colonel Bello became involved with various Companies as Chairman or director, including Former Broadbank Nigeria Ltd, Globe Re Nigeria Ltd, Law Union and Rock Insurance Company Plc, Amni International Petroleum Development Company Ltd, Dantata and Sawoe Constructed Company Ltd, MTN Communications Ltd, and Equatel Communication Ltd. He is also a farmer and Proprietor of Mustafa Comprehensive School, Kontagora. He is a passionate lover of sports, especially Table Tennis in which he once served as the Chairman of Nigerian Table Tennis Federation and led the National Team to the Commonwealth and World Championships in 1983. Colonel Sani Bello (rtd) is happily married and blessed with children.