Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has expressed shock over the news of the passing of former Governor of Oyo State, Dr Victor Omololu Olunloyo, describing the death of the nationalist—whom he called one of the nation’s finest brains—as a great loss to Oyo State, the entire Yorubaland, and the nation at large, given his long and sterling record of service to the nation and humanity.
Olunloyo, who served as governor of the old Oyo State from October 1 to December 31, 1983, before the then military regime of General Muhammadu Buhari took power, died in the early hours of Sunday, April 6, 2025, just a few months before his 90th birthday.
The Yoruba generalissimo made the remarks in a condolence letter addressed to the Oyo State Government, a copy of which was made available to newsmen on Monday. He further described the late governor as a great mathematician, an academic of note, a respected politician, a nationalist, and a revered leader with ties across geopolitical zones, emphasising that everything within reach should be done “to immortalize him and honour his legacies.”
Iba Adams, while commiserating with the late Olunloyo’s family, the Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde; the Olubadan of Ibadanland; the Oyo State Government; the good people of the State; and Yorubaland at large on the loss of an illustrious son, recalled his personal closeness to the former governor during his lifetime.
“I was close to the great Olunloyo in the latter part of his life. We spoke regularly and he regaled me from time to time with the rich history and evolution of the Yoruba people and indeed, Nigeria,” the Yoruba generalissimo said.
He also recalled that the late Dr Olunloyo, while serving as Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, oversaw the crowning of two of Nigeria’s foremost monarchs—namely the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, and the Soun of Ogbomosho, Oba Oyewunmi—both of whom are now deceased.
Iba Adams prayed for the Almighty God to grant the soul of the former governor eternal rest.
Text of the statement reads: “I received with shock the news of the passage of former Oyo State governor, Victor Omololu Olunloyo in the early of Sunday, April 6, 2025, few months to his 90th birthday.
“The late Olunloyo was one of the nation’s finest brains. He was a great mathematician, an academic of note, a respected politician, a nationalist, and a revered leader with ties across geopolitical zones.
“I was close to the great Olunloyo in the latter part of his life. We spoke regularly and he regaled me from time to time with the rich history and evolution of the Yoruba people and indeed, Nigeria.
“The late Olunloyo served as the governor of the old Oyo State from October 1, 1983 to December 31, 1983, when the military regime of General Muhammadu Buhari took power.
“Olunloyo was appointed Commissioner for Economic Development for the Western Region in 1962 at the age of 27, in the cabinet of Dr. Moses Majekodunmi. He was re-appointed when Colonel Adeyinka Adebayo was appointed military governor of Western State.
“He was also the Commissioner for Community Development, Education (twice), Special Duties, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, which saw him oversee the crowning of two of Nigeria’s monarchs namely the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III and the Soun of Ogbomosho, Oba Oyewunmi.
“He was later appointed Chairman of the Western Nigerian Development Corporation. In 1983, Olunloyo ran for governor of the old Oyo State on the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) platform, and defeated the incumbent, Bola Ige of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), assuming office in October 1983.
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“The late Dr. Olunloyo, who held the traditional titles of Balogun of Oyo and Otun Bobasewa of Ife till his death, was the first Rector, Ibadan Polytechnic and first Rector, Kwara State Polytechnic, among other notable appointments.
“His long record of service to the nation and humanity is a source of pride to his family, associates and the Yoruba race. His demise is without doubt a great loss to Oyo State, the entire Yorubaland and the nation at large.
“As we come to terms with this shocking loss, I commiserate with the late Olunloyo’s family, the Oyo State governor, His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde; the Olubadan of Ibadanland, the Oyo State government, the good people of the State and Yorubaland on the loss of our illustrious son.
“As mourn the passing of Dr. Olunloyo, it is important that we do everything within our reach to immortalize him and honour his legacies.
“I pray to the Supreme Being, the Almighty God, to grant his soul eternal rest.”
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