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Ex-Governor of Oyo State, Dr. Victor Omololu Olunloyo,
A former governor of Oyo State, Dr. Victor Omololu Olunloyo, has died.
His death was announced on Sunday, in a statement by Oladapo Ogunwusi on behalf of the family.
“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,” the statement read.
Described as the Balogun of Oyo and Otun Bobasewa of Ife, the family noted that the late elder statesman was “first Rector, Ibadan Polytechnic and first Rector, Kwara State Polytechnic among other notable appointments.”
Born on April 14, 1935, in Ibadan, the late politician was known for his intellect, public service, and repeated brushes with false death reports.
In April 2024, nearly a year before his actual death, Olunloyo broke his silence over yet another rumour of his passing.
Speaking to The PUNCH correspondent who visited his Molete residence in Ibadan, the elder statesman declared, “I’m still here, not yet gone.”
He expressed concern over the recurring rumours, saying, “Those breaking death news and the person presumed dead will all die one day.”
Reflecting on his long life, he said, “I’ve been lucky. My father died at 42, while my mother died at 102. I’m 89. I’ve crossed the expected life age.”
This was not the first time Olunloyo had to deny death reports.
In June 2022, a similar rumour made the rounds that he had died at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan. Days later, his family issued a statement saying he was alive but battling age-related ailments.
“We would greatly appreciate your prayers for our father who is presently in the ICU at UCH Ibadan,” the family had said in July 2022.
When asked in April 2024 if the repeated rumours had affected him, Olunloyo said, “No, not at all. This is not the first time.”
A highly respected academic, Olunloyo earned his Ph.D. in 1961 from the University of St. Andrews, Scotland. His thesis focused on the “Numerical Determination of the Solutions of Eigenvalue Problems of the Sturm–Liouville Type,” and he authored several papers in applied mathematics and number theory.
He began his public service journey early, becoming Commissioner for Economic Development for the Western Region at age 27 in 1962 under Dr. Moses Majekodunmi. He also served under Colonel Adeyinka Adebayo and held various portfolios including Community Development, Education, Local Government, and Chieftaincy Affairs.
In these roles, he was responsible for crowning traditional rulers such as the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, and the Soun of Ogbomosho, Oba Oyewunmi.
Olunloyo’s political peak came when he was elected governor of Oyo State on October 1, 1983, under the National Party of Nigeria, defeating incumbent Bola Ige of the Unity Party of Nigeria. However, his tenure lasted only three months before the military coup of December 31, 1983, led by General Muhammadu Buhari.
In later years, he remained active in politics. Though he declared interest in the 2003 Oyo State governorship race under the PDP, he was not selected as the party’s candidate.
He held other political roles, including chairmanship of various committees for the PDP and later moved to the Action Congress of Nigeria in 2012.
In his career marked by intellect, resilience, and public service, Olunloyo also carried the unintended legacy of repeatedly “dying” in the media before his actual passing.
As the family makes burial arrangements, they ask for understanding from the public and the press.
“Even from everlasting to everlasting, He is God,” the statement concluded.
