Politics
Dr. Olunloyo: Different portraits in uncommon achievements
At last, Dr. Omololu Olunloyo, a rare gem with remarkable achievements in several facets of life, finally bowed out after he had been rumoured dead three times—making him both controversial in life and in death.
It is not merely his passing that pains those who worked with him, his friends, and associates, but the memory of his uncommon achievements and the unique way he lived his life. He stood out as a rare gem whose kind of talent would be difficult to find in this clime, where he lived for almost 90 years without his full potentials and God-given endowments being fully tapped.
This genius could best be described as a man ahead of his time. Some argue that had he been born in another country, his talents would have been more fully harnessed for the benefit of society and development.
Although the former governor of Oyo State died at the ripe age of 89, his death still came suddenly, as many were unaware that the end had come, especially after he survived several serious illnesses that could have taken his life.
What remains painful is his unfulfilled wish to leave behind a memoir—an account that would have served as inspiration for the present generation on how to live dutiful and meaningful lives.
Not that he didn’t make attempts. Being a genius, he engaged three different people to help him write the memoir, but none met his standards, so he set it aside. Unfortunately, it remained unfinished until he passed.
For whatever it is, Dr. Olunloyo, with his erratic yet uncommon approach to thinking and doing things, was special in his own way and worthy of emulation. He lived by example, often thinking deeply before taking actions—actions that were sometimes strange or condemnable at first, but in the long run proved beneficial to society.
He was a man who never thought about himself alone but considered how those around him could benefit from his talents and decisions.
Eccentric with Good Intentions
This was why, even in public office from the young age of 26, he showed youthful zeal in his drive to sanitize and correct the rot he encountered.
Dr. Olunloyo carved a niche for himself as Commissioner for Education in the old Western State through his reforms in the sector. He earned the reputation of a no-nonsense commissioner.
His approach to life and duty was unlike that of other commissioners in the cabinet of the late Military Governor of Western State, Col. Adeyinka Adebayo (later a General).
Dr. Olunloyo personally visited both primary and secondary schools to assess how teachers and pupils were faring—often driving himself and, at times, jumping over fences of locked gates to catch them unaware. He would sit in classrooms and observe teaching, and if unsatisfied, he would get up and teach the subject himself.
With his unique style of monitoring, he instilled discipline in the school system and kept teachers on their toes.
At that time, it became a joke among teachers to scare one another by saying, “Olunloyo has come,” prompting caution and diligence among educators.
His presence at any school created anxiety among staff, but his actions led to better outcomes in the region.
Through this approach, he exposed flaws in the education system, particularly illegal schools operating without meeting established standards. He shut them down and prosecuted proprietors who prioritized profit over quality education.
Although not one to carry placards or openly crusade for human rights, his actions spoke volumes about his desire for justice and societal betterment.
Social Genius
He didn’t just complain about what was wrong—he demonstrated how to do things right. It seemed he could not be pleased because he was often several steps ahead in thought and action.
He was truly a genius of many parts. This was evident during his short tenure as Governor of Oyo State from October to December 1983 before the military coup led by General Muhammadu Buhari.
As described by his former Press Secretary, Elder Moses Olorode:
“My former boss, Dr. Omololu Olunloyo, was an intellectual giant who bestrode both politics and academia. Imbued with brilliance and youthful passion, Olunloyo clamped down on erring school proprietors who commercialized education without meeting required standards.”
Elder Olorode recounted how he was called from his job as News Editor at the now-defunct New Nigerian Newspapers to join the Olunloyo administration.
One day, Olorode noticed a high-ranking party official waiting for hours to see the governor. When informed, Olunloyo said, “The party leaders sent him to ask for money. I cannot dip my hands into government coffers for that. Let him sit there—I am too busy.”
With such principled stands, it was no surprise that powerful political interests eventually removed him from office.
Unlike today’s leaders, Dr. Olunloyo empathized with the masses. He would remind his aides, while eating government-funded meals, that people outside were hungry.
On one occasion along Igosun Road in Ibadan, he stopped his convoy to eat at a local buka (canteen), ordering “mama put” for himself and four others. This act drew a large cheering crowd calling him “the people’s governor.”
He once walked into Governor Ladoja’s office to suggest a solution to the frequent accidents at Mobil Roundabout. His advice—based on gravitational and centrifugal force calculations—was implemented, and accidents stopped thereafter.
A Different Politician
Dr. Olunloyo feared no one, even those who ensured he became governor. He once told a journalist on his campaign train:
“Listen carefully. There has never been a free and fair election in Nigeria. Go and check the records. This election will not be different.”
His emergence as the NPN candidate, backed by the federal power under President Shehu Shagari, was seen as a civilian coup against the UPN under Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
The defeat of Chief Bola Ige in Oyo State was made possible in part by Chief Ige’s controversial comments, which angered Ibadan politicians. Olunloyo was chosen at the last minute to face Ige due to his popularity and intellectual strength. His victory surprised many, including Chief Awolowo.
Dr. Olunloyo was always close to journalists. He frequently visited them, remembered their families, and was generous with information. But he had his quirks.
During a campaign event at his residence, he was talking animatedly when a reporter, Abayomi Olabisi of Punch, began taking notes. Suddenly, Dr. Olunloyo grabbed the notebook and tore it, saying, “Oniko kuko. O ti le ko ikokuko ju. O ri e o da.” (You write all kinds of nonsense. You write too much nonsense. Silly.)
The nickname “Onikokuko” stuck with Olabisi for a long time.
Dr. Olunloyo was a journalist’s delight. His interviews often made headlines—controversial, yet factual and without the need for retraction.
View of Nigeria
He was one of Nigeria’s early proponents of restructuring. He believed, based on his calculations, that democracy in Nigeria would remain bleak unless the country was restructured.
Despite close family ties with Chief Awolowo, he chose to align politically with Chief Ladoke Akintola, whom he regarded as a mentor. Yet, he remained close to Awolowo, often visiting his Oke-Bola residence and enjoying beers there, as he once recounted to journalists.
Profile
Dr. Olunloyo was the first Rector of both Ibadan Polytechnic and Kwara State Polytechnic.
Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State noted that although a scientist, Dr. Olunloyo loved reciting poetry—especially works by William Shakespeare—and remarkably, never used glasses even in old age.
His academic brilliance is legendary. In 1947, he was one of ten selected for scholarships from among 2,002 applicants to Government College, Ibadan—and the only one chosen from Standard Five. The rest had completed Standard Six.
He completed his Higher School Certificate in just three months, topped the Ibadan Province, and was admitted to study Mechanical Engineering at the University of St Andrews in Scotland.
So brilliant was he that the university allowed him to skip the first year and begin in 200 level. He graduated with First Class Honours at age 26 and became a commissioner at 27.