…Folarin, Amb. Ajimobi, Agbaje mourn
A former Deputy Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Professor Isiaka Kolawole, is dead.
Professor Kolawole reportedly passed away on Sunday, September 6, 2026, at a hospital in Abuja.
The news of his death has thrown his family, friends, political associates and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State into mourning.
Until his death, the late Professor Kolawole was widely regarded as an accomplished scholar, administrator and public servant who served in several capacities, including as Deputy Executive Secretary of UBEC and Special Adviser during the administration of the late former Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi.
Reacting to his death, former Oyo State governorship candidate of the APC and Senator, Teslim Folarin, described the deceased as a good brother, trusted political ally and committed progressive.
Folarin, who appointed the late professor as Director-General of his 2023 Oyo State Governorship Campaign Council, said Kolawole was one of the most straightforward, principled and disciplined politicians he had ever worked with.
He said the late professor served in different capacities with honour and maintained an untainted record of public service.
According to Folarin, the deceased’s leadership skills, maturity, sound judgement and wise counsel were invaluable and would be sorely missed.
“His passing is a painful loss to his family, friends, political associates, our progressive family and the entire Oyo State APC,” Folarin said.
He prayed that Almighty Allah would forgive the shortcomings of the deceased, accept his good deeds and grant him Al-Jannah Firdaus, while also praying for the family and associates to have the fortitude to bear the loss.
Also mourning the late professor, Nigeria’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to Austria and the United Nations Office and other International Organisations in Vienna, Dr. Florence Ajimobi, described him as a distinguished scholar, committed public servant and trusted associate.
Ambassador Ajimobi recalled his years of service in the administration of her late husband, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, noting that Professor Kolawole distinguished himself through his depth of knowledge, loyalty and commitment to the vision of building a better Oyo State.
She said the deceased was a man of intellect and conviction who believed strongly in public service and always gave his best whenever he was called upon to serve.
Ambassador Ajimobi also recalled his contributions to the education sector, particularly his service at UBEC, describing his career as one substantially devoted to the advancement of knowledge, education and human development.
Similarly, a chieftain of the APC in Oyo State and frontline 2027 governorship aspirant, Akeem Adedeji Agbaje, Esq., described the late Professor Kolawole as an accomplished administrator and public servant.
Agbaje said the deceased contributed his wealth of experience to the service of the nation and the development of the education sector.
He extended his condolences to the family, colleagues and associates of the late professor.
“May Allah forgive his shortcomings, accept his deeds as Ibadah, grant him Al-Jannatul Firdaus, and give his family, friends, colleagues and associates the strength and patience to bear this loss. Ameen,” Agbaje prayed.
Professor Kolawole’s death is widely seen as a major loss to the progressive political family in Oyo State and Nigeria, where he will be remembered for his scholarship, public service, political leadership and contributions to educational development.
May his soul rest in peace.
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