IBADAN – As former Oyo governor, Victor Olunloyo, is laid to rest, the Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, has renamed The Polytechnic, Ibadan, as Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan, to immortalize the late scholar.
Olunloyo, who died on April 6, 2025, was the pioneer principal of the polytechnic, while he also served as governor of Oyo State between October 1 and December 31, 1983.
The governor announced this on Thursday at the state interdenominational funeral service held in honour of the late former governor at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Liberty Road, Ibadan.
“I talked about preserving and digitising his library yesterday as a mark of honour to Baba Olunloyo,” the governor said.
“Today, we will be giving Baba another honour to immortalise him. He was the first Principal of The Polytechnic, Ibadan; that institution will now be named Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan.”
‘An Enduring Footprint’
The Oyo State Government held a Lying-in-State and Executive Session in Honour of His Excellency Dr Victor Omololu Sowemimo Olunloyo, former Governor of Oyo State yesterday. pic.twitter.com/qojY8ndfg1
— Oyo State Government (@oyostategovt) June 26, 2025
Makinde said that Olunloyo lived an eventful life and that his attainment and personality could not be summarised in one sentence, as he was a scholar, a statesman, a technocrat, a lover of culture, and a man of deep conviction.
He said: “Baba left an enduring footprint on the sands of Oyo State and, indeed, Nigeria as a whole.
“He was not a man we could summarise in one sentence. He was a scholar, a statesman, a technocrat, a lover of culture, and, above all, a man of deep conviction.
“While giving the exhortation, I was listening to Baba Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu, and he said that in 1983, Baba became the governor of Oyo State. Though his time in office was brief, his election victory over a popular incumbent remains a powerful testament to the trust people gave him.”
Earlier in his sermon, a retired Methodist Archbishop of Ilesa and Ibadan, Ayo Ladigbolu, described the late Olunloyo as a role model with intellectual inspiration and unassailable integrity who demonstrated leadership of the most superior quality during his lifetime.
The event had in attendance the deputy governor of Oyo State, Abdulraheem Bayo Lawal; wife of a former Military Governor of the old Oyo State, Dupe Jemibewon; wife of a former governor of Oyo State, Mutiat Ladoja; former deputy governor and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) deputy national chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja; and former deputy governor, Hazeem Gbolarumi.
Others were the member representing Ibadan North-East/South-East Federal Constituency, Abass Agboworin; the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Segun Ogunwuyi; Oyo State Exco Members; Chairman of Oyo State Elders’ Council, Saka Balogun; Chairman of All Local Government Chairmen (ALGON) in Oyo State, Sikiru Sanda; President-General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Adeniyi Ajewole; religious leaders; and family members, among other dignitaries.
The week-long line-up of activities to celebrate the exit of one of Oyo State’s finest brains comes to a climax with the interdenominational service, a church service, and a reception for family, friends, and well-wishers of the late mathematician.
BY DAMILOLA ADELEKE | JUNE 26, 2025
Adeleke Damilola (ACTION) is a versatile content writer with expertise in news writing and a seasoned media professional and broadcast specialist. Currently serving as News Editor for DNews Info, Damilola is also the CEO of the ACTION brand, committed to shaping lives and establishing a legacy of excellence for present and future generations.
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