Former Kwara Governor And Minister, Cornelius Adebayo, Dies At 83

Former Governor of Kwara State and one-time Minister of Communications, Chief Cornelius Olatunji Adebayo, is dead. He passed away on Tuesday morning after a brief illness.

A family source, who spoke with Channels Television on condition of anonymity pending an official statement, confirmed the development.

Born on 24 February 1941 in Igbaja, now in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, Adebayo had a storied career in both academia and public service. He began his early education at All Saints Anglican School in Oke-Onigbin and attended Provincial Secondary School in Ilorin before proceeding to Barewa College, Zaria, between 1962 and 1963.

He later enrolled at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (1964–1967), and then the University of Ghana, Legon (1967–1969), where he furthered his studies. In 1969, he began a career in academia as a lecturer at the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University. By 1973, he was appointed Head of the English Department at the Kwara State College of Technology.

Adebayo entered public service in 1975 when he was appointed Commissioner for Education in Kwara State. He later held the portfolio for Information and Economic Development, serving until 1978. He was elected Senator in 1979 under the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) and became Governor of Kwara State in 1983. However, his tenure was abruptly ended by the military coup of December 31, 1983, led by Major General Muhammadu Buhari.

Returning to national service in 1999, Adebayo was appointed Minister of Communications by President Olusegun Obasanjo, where he played a significant role in reforming Nigeria’s telecommunications sector at a time of major liberalisation and growth.

Funeral arrangements are yet to be announced by the family.