This is the fourth of a six-part article series to celebrate the legacy of Dr Victor Omololu Olunloyo (1935–2025)
Dr. Victor Omololu Olunloyo’s early life was marked by fierce academic competition and a relentless pursuit of excellence. His story at Government College Ibadan (GCI), one of Nigeria’s most prestigious schools, is one of transformation—from an underdog to an academic champion.
When Dr. Olunloyo entered GCI in the early 1940s, he was an early bloomer compared to his peers. Most of the other students had passed through Standard 6 in elementary school, while the young Olunloyo entered from Standard 5.
This seemingly small difference, however, put him at a disadvantage, as he was competing against some of the top scholars of the time. The academic standards at GCI were rigorous, and the first few months of his experience were humbling. He finished his first year as 21st out of 23 students.
But it was the next phase of his academic journey that put the spotlight on his resilience and intellectual prowess. Determined not to let his early setbacks define him, Dr. Olunloyo studied relentlessly, mastering subjects that others struggled with.
By the time he graduated, he had not only caught up to his peers, but he had surpassed them. Throughout his remaining years in GCI, he was ranked first in his class—a feat made even more remarkable by the fact that he had been an underdog just a few years earlier.
At Government College Ibadan, Dr Victor Omololu Olunloyo started near the bottom of his class—but graduated at the top. Success is not about where you begin. It’s about what you do with where you are. Share on XIn many ways, his academic rise mirrored his growth as a cricketer. Dr. Olunloyo was an outstanding bowler and a force to be reckoned with on the cricket field. His reputation as the “terror” of the GCI cricket team was well-earned. His team dominated rivals like King’s College and Igbobi College.
In the past King’s College had beaten GCI for five consecutive years. But with Dr Olunloyo and other outstanding cricket players like Philip Asiodu, one Dr Coker who would later become captain of the national team, George Ogunlusi of St George’s Hospital in Ibadan, and Solomon Akenzua who would later become Oba Erediauwa, GCI was able to turn the tables and beat King’s College both home and away.
Dr. Olunloyo’s success on the field was not just about winning matches—it was about the lessons he imbibed through sport. Cricket is a game of strategy, precision, and teamwork. These lessons translated directly into his academic life, where he was able to apply the same principles to solve complex mathematical problems and excel in his studies.
His mathematical prowess, in particular, was legendary. Dr. Olunloyo’s brilliance in mathematics became evident when he tackled a calculus exam that left his peers stumped. The teacher had set eight questions on calculus, but Dr. Olunloyo answered all of them, including the last one, before the teacher had even finished writing it on the board.
Beyond academics and sports, Dr. Olunloyo’s personal resilience and commitment to excellence were deeply influenced by his father. His father was a man of many talents, a virtuoso musician who could play five different instruments, and a trailblazer who built the first house in their neighborhood at Oke-Ado, Ibadan.
Despite his father’s many accomplishments, he passed away young, at the age of 42. Dr. Olunloyo’s respect for his father’s legacy was profound, and the values of hard work, intellectual curiosity, and discipline were passed down to him. His father had also been a student of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, and Dr. Olunloyo often spoke fondly of how Awolowo had taught his father Latin.
His father died young but left behind a legacy of discipline, music, and learning. Dr. Victor Omololu Olunloyo carried that torch—brilliantly. Share on XDr. Olunloyo’s journey from underdog to champion was a product of the influences around him, the lessons he learned, and his relentless commitment to personal growth. Whether in cricket, mathematics, or his larger academic career, Dr. Olunloyo embodied the principles of resilience, dedication, and excellence.
In Part 5, we will explore his visionary leadership and pioneering contributions to national development.