Timothy Mofolorunso Aluko (July 14, 1918 – May 1, 2010) stands out as one of Nigeria’s rare figures who excelled in both technical and literary worlds. A civil engineer, public servant and acclaimed novelist, Aluko spent more than nine decades exploring how a nation can modernise without losing its cultural soul. His life and work continue to illuminate the tension—and the possibilities—between tradition and change.
Early Life and Education
Born in Ilesa, present-day Osun State, Aluko grew up in a Yoruba family that valued both learning and cultural heritage. He attended the prestigious Government College, Ibadan, where the disciplined environment of colonial-era schooling shaped his love for knowledge. After earning a scholarship to Britain, he trained as a civil engineer, gaining a professional foundation that would later guide Nigeria’s early infrastructure projects.
Career in Public Service and Academia
Returning home at the dawn of Nigeria’s political awakening, Aluko joined the Western Region’s Public Works Department, eventually becoming Director of Public Works in the 1950s and 1960s. His leadership helped lay the roads, water systems and municipal structures that supported the region’s post-colonial growth.
Aluko later moved into academia, earning a doctorate in municipal engineering and mentoring a generation of young engineers. His rare combination of field experience and scholarly depth made him a respected voice in both government and university circles.
Novelist of a Changing Nigeria
Alongside his technical career, Aluko emerged as one of the pioneers of modern Nigerian fiction in English. His novels marry gentle satire with keen social observation, capturing the friction between Yoruba traditions and the modern forces reshaping society.
One Man, One Wife (1959): A humorous yet piercing look at polygamy and the shifting expectations of family life in a society balancing custom and Christianity.
One Man, One Matchet (1964): A critique of colonial bureaucracy and an exploration of the early nationalist spirit.
With accessible prose and memorable characters, Aluko’s fiction highlighted how communities wrestle with the promises and pitfalls of modernization.
Memoirs and Reflections
In later years, Aluko chronicled his professional and personal journey in works such as My Years of Service and The Story of My Life. These memoirs offer not only a personal narrative but also a valuable record of Nigeria’s transformation from colony to independent nation.
Family and Personal Life
Aluko was married and raised a family while maintaining close ties to his native Ilesa. He was known for humility and a quiet dedication to public service. He passed away in Lagos on May 1, 2010, at the age of 91, surrounded by the respect of both literary and engineering communities.
Enduring Legacy
More than a decade after his death, Aluko’s novels remain staples of African literature courses in Nigeria and abroad. His life’s work demonstrates that technical achievement and creative expression can reinforce one another. By building both physical infrastructure and enduring stories, T. M. Aluko showed how a society can embrace modernity without losing sight of its roots—a lesson as relevant today as it was in his lifetime.
Sources
Aluko, T. M. One Man, One Wife (1959); One Man, One Matchet (1964).
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