Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has officially renamed The Polytechnic, Ibadan, after the late former governor and elder statesman, Dr. Victor Omololu Olunloyo, in recognition of his immense contributions to the institution and the development of education in the state.
The renaming was announced on Thursday, June 20, 2025, during an interdenominational commendation service held at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium in Ibadan, organized in honour of the late academic and political icon who passed away recently. Governor Makinde, while addressing dignitaries, family members, and well-wishers at the solemn event, described the gesture as a deserving tribute to a man whose footprints in academia and governance remain indelible.
Dr. Olunloyo, who served briefly as governor of the old Oyo State in 1983 under the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN), was also the pioneering Rector of The Polytechnic, Ibadan. He played a pivotal role in shaping the institution’s formative years, establishing strong academic structures and laying the groundwork that has sustained its relevance to this day. His tenure as rector was marked by progressive reforms that enhanced the polytechnic’s academic standing and infrastructure.
Described by many as a quintessential technocrat, mathematician, and visionary, the late Olunloyo was celebrated during the service not just for his brief political stint but for his far-reaching contributions to education, governance, and public policy. Born in 1935, Olunloyo earned a reputation as one of Nigeria’s most brilliant minds, obtaining a First-Class degree in Mathematics from the University of London at the age of 21 before going on to earn a PhD.
Governor Makinde noted that renaming the polytechnic in his honour is not just a symbolic gesture, but one that cements Olunloyo’s place in the academic and historical annals of Oyo State. According to him, “Dr. Olunloyo was not only the first rector of the Polytechnic, Ibadan, but also someone whose vision and ideas gave birth to what we are proud of today. Renaming this institution is the least we can do to immortalize him.”
The governor further stated that the decision reflects the administration’s commitment to celebrating excellence and preserving the legacies of individuals who have genuinely contributed to the state’s progress. He assured that efforts would be intensified to reposition the institution, now Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, to meet global standards and continue to serve as a beacon of technical education in Nigeria.
The late Dr. Victor Omololu Olunloyo, often hailed as an intellectual giant, was widely respected across academic and political circles. His death marked the end of an era, but the renaming of the polytechnic ensures that his legacy will remain alive, not only in the hearts of those he inspired but also within the walls of the institution he helped build.
The Oyo State government is expected to resonate across the country, especially among educational stakeholders who have long called for more deliberate efforts to honour past heroes whose lives were devoted to nation-building through education and public service.
