Dr. Victor Omololu Olunloyo, former governor of Oyo State and distinguished Nigerian mathematician, engineer, and technocrat, has died just days before his 90th birthday, according to a family statement released on Sunday.
The Olunloyo family expressed both grief and gratitude in their announcement: “With a heavy heart but gratitude to the Almighty, we announce the passing into glory of Dr. Victor Omololu Olunloyo, former governor of Oyo State, mathematician and engineer and renowned technocrat, a few days before his 90th birthday.
Known by his traditional titles as the Balogun of Oyo and Otun Bobasewa of Ife, Dr. Olunloyo leaves behind a remarkable legacy of public service and academic achievement that spans several decades of Nigeria’s post-independence history.
His extensive career included pioneering educational leadership roles as the first Rector of Ibadan Polytechnic and the inaugural Rector of Kwara State Polytechnic, positions that helped shape higher education in southwestern Nigeria. These appointments represented just a fraction of his numerous contributions to national development.
His long record of service to the nation and humanity is a source of pride to his family and associates even as we come to grip with this devastating event,” the family statement continued.
Dr. Olunloyo’s tenure as Governor of Oyo State, though brief, was part of Nigeria’s Second Republic period. He served during a crucial time in the state’s development history, bringing his technical expertise and administrative acumen to governance challenges.
The family has requested understanding from the press and public as they begin arrangements for what they described as “a befitting burial” for the elder statesman. “The Olunloyo family will appreciate the understanding of the press and the public as they commence efforts to give him a befitting burial,” their statement noted, concluding with a biblical reference: “Even from everlasting to everlasting, He is God.”
This announcement comes approximately one year after false reports of Dr. Olunloyo’s death circulated in April 2024, when several news platforms erroneously reported his passing, causing confusion and distress before the reports were corrected.
Born in the early 1930s, Dr. Olunloyo belonged to Nigeria’s first generation of post-colonial intellectuals and political leaders who helped shape the young nation’s trajectory after independence in 1960. His educational background as both a mathematician and engineer distinguished him in a political landscape often dominated by lawyers and traditional politicians.
Throughout his life, Dr. Olunloyo maintained deep connections to traditional institutions in Yorubaland, as evidenced by his honored titles. The Balogun of Oyo is a prestigious chieftaincy position in the ancient Oyo Kingdom’s traditional hierarchy, while the Otun Bobasewa of Ife connects him to the sacred city of Ile-Ife, considered the spiritual homeland of the Yoruba people.
Dr. Olunloyo’s passing marks the end of an era for Oyo State and Nigeria at large. His generation witnessed Nigeria’s transition from colonial rule through independence, civil war, military governments, and returns to democratic governance. His experiences and contributions span nearly the entire history of modern Nigeria.
The late governor was known for his intellectual rigor and technical approach to governance issues, bringing a problem-solving mindset cultivated through his background in mathematics and engineering. His leadership in establishing polytechnic education helped create vital pathways for technical education in southwestern Nigeria.
Dr. Olunloyo’s death comes at a time when Nigeria continues to navigate complex socioeconomic and political challenges, and his passing represents the gradual transition of leadership and institutional memory from Nigeria’s early post-independence generation to younger cohorts of leaders.
Former associates and colleagues have begun paying tribute to Dr. Olunloyo, remembering his contributions to education, governance, and community development across southwestern Nigeria. Leaders from across the political spectrum are expected to honor his memory in the coming days.
As the family begins funeral arrangements, Dr. Olunloyo’s life provides an opportunity for reflection on Nigeria’s political and educational development since independence. His career trajectories through academia, technocratic appointments, and political leadership illustrate the diverse pathways through which Nigeria’s early educated elite served their communities and nation.
The specific details of Dr. Olunloyo’s funeral arrangements will be announced by the family in due course, with expectations of significant attendance from political, traditional, and academic circles across Nigeria, particularly within Oyo State and the broader Yoruba cultural region.
Dr. Olunloyo’s passing represents more than just the loss of a former governor – it marks the departure of a multifaceted Nigerian leader whose impact extended across education, governance, and traditional institutions, leaving an enduring legacy in the nation’s ongoing development story.
