The Management of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), Abeokuta, has paid glowing tribute to its former Rector, His Royal Highness, Oba Dr. Adebisi Atanda Adebayo, the Olu of Orile Itori-Odo, who passed on at the age of 87.

In a condolence message signed by the institution’s Head of Public Relations and Protocol, Yemi Ajibola, the Polytechnic described the late monarch as a visionary academic and administrator whose tenure as the second Rector of the institution left enduring legacies.

Oba Adebayo, who served as Rector from May 1, 1984, to April 30, 1992, was credited with several landmark achievements that helped shape the academic and structural growth of the institution.

Before becoming Rector, the statement said, Dr. Adebayo joined the Ogun State Polytechnic (now MAPOLY) as a Senior Principal Lecturer at its Oke-Egunya campus, where he was appointed as the Head of the Department of Biology.

“During his eight-year tenure, he secured National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) accreditation for several key programmes, including National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) in Accountancy, Business Administration, Marketing, Secretarial Administration, Architectural Technology, Town and Regional Planning, Food Technology, Science Laboratory Technology, and Mass Communication.

“His administration also championed the institution’s remarkable physical transformation, most notably through the construction of the iconic red-brick structures that now define MAPOLY’s architectural identity. One of these enduring landmarks, the Adebisi Adebayo Administrative Building, stands as a tribute to his visionary leadership.

“Beyond his administrative exploits, Dr. Adebayo was an accomplished scientist and author, with numerous publications in local and international journals, as well as papers presented at conferences and seminars around the world,” the statement said.

In his tribute, the Rector of MAPOLY, Arc. Dr. Koye Jolaoso, expressed deep sorrow over the passing of the distinguished scholar and monarch, praying that God grants the bereaved family and the entire Polytechnic community the fortitude to bear the loss.

He said, “Oba Dr. Adebisi Adebayo was not just a great administrator, but a man of knowledge, discipline, and humility whose legacy will forever inspire generations of MAPOLY staff and students.”

“May God illuminate his final abode and accept his peaceful return,” the statement concluded.