Bamidele Isola Olumilua (1940 – 4 June 2020) was a Nigerian politician, career diplomat, and Christian evangelist whose life bridged public service and faith. Born in Ikere-Ekiti (now in Ekiti State), he became one of the most visible figures of Nigeria’s short-lived Third Republic, and later a respected voice in Christian ministry.
Governor in the Nigerian Third Republic
Olumilua came to national prominence when he was elected Governor of the old Ondo State—then comprising today’s Ondo and Ekiti States—on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). He served from January 1992 until November 1993, when General Sani Abacha’s coup dissolved all democratic institutions and ended the Third Republic.
Despite the brevity of his tenure, Olumilua earned a reputation for dignified and prudent leadership, often praised for integrity and a steady commitment to public good during a turbulent political era.
Diplomatic and Evangelical Roles
Before becoming governor, Olumilua represented Nigeria abroad as High Commissioner to Canada, a post in which he helped strengthen diplomatic and economic ties between the two nations.
Equally influential was his lifelong Christian ministry. A committed member of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) and an active participant in inter-denominational Christian gatherings, he became known as an evangelist and conference speaker, using his public platform to call for moral renewal and spiritual commitment.
Legacy and Passing
Olumilua died on 4 June 2020, aged 80. His life remains a model of principled leadership rooted in faith, demonstrating how civic duty and spiritual conviction can coexist. For many Nigerians, he stands as a reminder that politics and public service can be anchored in values that transcend partisanship.
Sources
Nigerian Tribune, “Former Ondo Governor Bamidele Olumilua Dies at 80,” 4 June 2020.
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