By Habeeb Ibrahim
Dr. Kemi Olunloyo, a well-known and outspoken Nigerian journalist, is mourning the death of her father, Chief Dr. Victor Omololu Sowemimo Olunloyo. She has often called him a genius and one of the smartest people Nigeria has ever had.
Chief Olunloyo, a former Governor of the old Oyo State, died early Sunday morning, just a few days before his 90th birthday.
Born in 1935, he was a brilliant mathematician who became known around the world for his intelligence. He was made Commissioner for Economic Development in the Western Region in his thirties and later became the Governor of Oyo State during Nigeria’s Second Republic.
Although his time as governor ended in 1983 after a military takeover, many still remember him for his smart ideas and leadership. He also held important traditional titles like the Balogun of Oyo and Otun Bobasewa of Ile-Ife, showing his deep ties to Yoruba culture.
For Kemi Olunloyo, this is not just a personal loss but a big moment in history. Even though they sometimes disagreed, both father and daughter respected each other’s intelligence. Kemi is known for her bold and controversial views, but she always gave credit to her father for her sharp mind.
On July 11, 2020, she shared a tweet encouraging young Nigerians to watch an interview her father had with journalist Dele Momodu on The Boss Interview. She wrote:
“For you youth who don’t know the history of Nigeria go see why I’m brilliant. People are now figuring why I’m intelligent. My father is a GENIUS.”
— Kemi Olunloyo (@DrKemiOlunloyo)
Even though they had different views, Dr. Olunloyo supported his daughter in public. In 2016, when fake news claimed he had disowned her because of her online posts, he quickly denied it. His personal assistant shared a statement on Facebook where he said:
“I have NOT released any statement of any kind about my daughter Kemi Omololu-Olunloyo denouncing her social media posts.”
In past interviews, Kemi said that growing up with a father like him made her the strong and bold person she is today.
“Despite our many differences, I never stopped respecting his mind. He was one of Nigeria’s greatest intellectuals,” she once said in an interview.
Now, as the country remembers a great leader, a daughter is grieving the only man whose brilliance she never doubted. Many people including politicians, traditional rulers, and scholars are sending their condolences.
The family is expected to share funeral details soon.
