Dr Olunloyo Park in Alakia, Ibadan, is working towards becoming a leading heritage destination in Nigeria through its blend of Yoruba history, monumental sculptures and cultural storytelling, its creative director, Bukky Ariyebi, has said.
Ariyebi said the government-funded park was designed to welcome visitors to Oyo State while providing a space where residents and tourists can learn about Yoruba culture and the history of Ibadan.
Commissioned by Governor Seyi Makinde on December 18, 2025, the park is named after the late Dr Victor Omololu Sowemimo Olunloyo, the mathematician and politician who served as Oyo State governor between October and December 1983.
Speaking about the creative process, Ariyebi said the location previously served as a mechanic workshop before its transformation into a heritage attraction.
She explained that the structures and artworks were developed from her creative ideas, with storytelling guiding the design and arrangement of features across the park.
According to her, the ambition is to make the facility the best park in the South-West and ultimately Nigeria through additional artworks, creativity and improved customer service.
Among its most prominent attractions are three towering statues depicting Iyalode Efunsetan Aniwura, Balogun Oderinlo and Baba Onilu Atokowagbowo Nile.
The figures represent different aspects of Ibadan’s history, including commerce, military leadership and its drumming tradition. Oderinlo is remembered for his role in defending Osogbo against Fulani forces, while Efunsetan remains a prominent and controversial figure in nineteenth-century Ibadan history.
The park also draws on Yoruba traditions associated with Oya, Sango and Oranmiyan, alongside stories and legends connected to Ibadan.
Explaining its ownership and management, Ariyebi said the state government financed the project, while contractors delivered the creative work.
She said daily operations are now handled privately under a revenue-sharing arrangement, which she described as a public-private partnership.
On admission charges, Ariyebi said children pay ₦5,000, while adults pay ₦10,000. She explained that purchases made within the park are deducted from the entrance payment.
According to her, revenue supports staff salaries, maintenance and electricity, while the admission charge also helps manage visitor numbers and protect the facilities from damage.
The park honours Olunloyo’s legacy as an accomplished scholar and public figure. Born on April 14, 1935, he distinguished himself academically from childhood before attending Government College, Ibadan, on a scholarship and obtaining a Grade One school certificate in December 1952.
His tenure as governor ended following the December 1983 military takeover that brought General Muhammadu Buhari to power.
