Makinde renames Ibadan polytechnic in honour of late governor Omololu Olunloyo, pledges to digitise his library and open a leisure park in his name

[dropcap]O[/dropcap]yo State Governor Seyi Makinde has renamed The Polytechnic, Ibadan after the late former governor and academic icon, Dr Omololu Olunloyo, in a landmark tribute to his legacy.

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Governor Makinde made the announcement during an interdenominational commendation service held on Thursday at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium in Ibadan.

“The institution will now be known as Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan,” he declared to loud applause.

The late Olunloyo, who passed away on April 6, 2025, just weeks before his 90th birthday, was the first Rector of the institution before becoming governor of Oyo State in the Second Republic.

Governor Makinde praised Olunloyo’s contributions to the state and described him as one of his most trusted advisers.

“I have lost a partner. When people ask why Oyo has been peaceful under my tenure, they don’t realise I frequently consulted leaders like Baba Olunloyo. He analysed issues and left me to decide what was best,” the governor said.

He added that the renaming of the polytechnic was only one of several initiatives the state had undertaken to immortalise the elder statesman.

These include the naming of the 3km Airport Road after him and the development of the Omololu Olunloyo Leisure Park in the Alakia Airport axis, which is now ready for commissioning.

We must give honour to whom it is due. This is a befitting passage for a man who gave much of his life to serve this state and country.

In a further tribute, Makinde announced that the state government would digitise and preserve Olunloyo’s personal library.

He described it as a “treasure trove of knowledge” capable of providing intellectual solutions to many of Nigeria’s pressing challenges.

“Every time I met with Baba, we always ended up discussing his library. Today, I am making a public commitment: the Oyo State Government will support the family to preserve and digitise that library. It will also become a tourist attraction,” he said during a lying-in-state and executive session held at the House of Chiefs, Secretariat, Agodi.

According to the governor, honouring Olunloyo through education and tourism projects aligns with the broader development goals of his administration, which seeks to preserve history while promoting intellectual and economic growth.

Dr Omololu Olunloyo was widely regarded as a mathematical genius, intellectual statesman, and elder politician who left indelible marks in both academia and public service.

His death drew tributes from leaders across Nigeria who hailed his discipline, brilliance, and commitment to nation-building.

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With the renaming of The Polytechnic, Ibadan and the state’s decision to enshrine his knowledge legacy, Governor Makinde’s gesture ensures that future generations will continue to learn from and honour a man whose wisdom helped shape modern Oyo State.