To many Nigerians, especially in the southwest, Olunloyo was more than a former governor of Oyo State; he was an icon of intellect, an unwavering public servant, and a revered elder statesman. He belonged to a generation that combined erudition with public duty, laying the groundwork for the emergence of technocratic leadership in Nigeria.
Dr. Victor Omololu Sowemimo Olunloyo, a distinguished Nigerian mathematician, engineer, and politician, passed away on April 6, 2025, just days shy of his 90th birthday. His multifaceted career, spanning academia and politics, left an indelible mark on Nigeria’s development. Born on April 14, 1935, in Ibadan, capital of present-day Oyo State, Nigeria, Olunloyo was the eldest child of Horatio Vincent Sowemimo Olunloyo, a Christian scholar and administrator, and Alhaja Bintu Tejumola Abebi Olunloyo, a devout Muslim. His early education took him through several primary schools in Lagos and Ibadan. Young Victor started his formal education at St George’s Primary School in Lagos before proceeding to the prestigious Government College, Ibadan.
Demonstrating exceptional aptitude in mathematics, Olunloyo pursued higher education. He went on to study at the University of St Andrews in Scotland, one of the oldest universities in the United Kingdom, where he earned his PhD in Mathematics at the age of 26. His doctoral thesis focused on the “Numerical Determination of the Solutions of Eigenvalue Problems of the Sturm–Liouville Type,” contributing significantly to the field of applied mathematics.
Olunloyo’s academic prowess led to his appointment as the first Rector of both The Polytechnic, Ibadan, and Kwara State Polytechnic. His leadership in these institutions laid the foundation for technical and vocational education in Nigeria, emphasizing the importance of practical skills in national development.
Transitioning into politics, Olunloyo was appointed Commissioner for Economic Development for the Western Region in 1962 at the age of 27, making him one of the youngest to hold such a position. He served in various capacities, including Commissioner for Community Development, Education, Special Duties, Local Government, and Chieftaincy Affairs. Notably, he played a role in the coronation of prominent Nigerian monarchs, such as the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, and the Soun of Ogbomosho, Oba Oyewunmi.
In 1983, Olunloyo was elected Governor of Oyo State under the National Party of Nigeria (NPN). However, his tenure was cut short by a military coup led by General Muhammadu Buhari on December 31, 1983. Despite the brief period, his administration was noted for its commitment to development and public service.
Post-governorship, Olunloyo remained active in politics, aligning with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and later the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). He held various strategic positions, including chairman of the PDP Planning and Strategy Committee for Ibadanland and chairman of the PDP Media and Publicity Committee for Oyo State.
Beyond politics, Olunloyo was a respected elder statesman and held traditional titles such as Balogun of Oyo and Otun Bobasewa of Ife, reflecting his deep-rooted influence in Yoruba culture and society.
Olunloyo was married to Funlayo Olunloyo and later to Aderonke Omololu-Olunloyo, with whom he had ten children. Dr. Victor Omololu Olunloyo’s life was a testament to the profound impact of intellectual rigor and dedicated public service. His contributions to mathematics, education, and governance continue to resonate in Nigeria’s socio-political landscape. As the nation mourns his passing, his legacy endures through the institutions he helped build and the lives he touched.
