Bode Olowoporoku (1945–2021) was a Nigerian politician. He served as the minister of science and technology in the Second Republic and later as a senator representing Ekiti South Senatorial District in 5th National Assembly. He died on March 24, 2021, at the age of 84, after a brief illness.
Early life and education
Olowoporoku was born in 1945 in
Ilawe Ekiti, in the Ekiti South Local Government Area of
Ekiti State
Ekiti () is a state in southwestern Nigeria, bordered to the North by Kwara State for 61 km, to the Northeast by Kogi State for 92 km, to the South and Southeast by Ondo State, and to the West by Osun State for 84 km. Named for the Ekiti ...
. He pursued his higher education at the
University of Ife
Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) is a federal university in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. The university was founded in 1961 and classes commenced in October 1962 as the University of Ife by the regional government of Western Nigeria, which w ...
(now
Obafemi Awolowo University
Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) is a federal university in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. The university was founded in 1961 and classes commenced in October 1962 as the University of Ife by the regional government of Western Nigeria, which w ...
), where he earned a degree in economics. He later won a scholarship from the
Ford Foundation
The Ford Foundation is an American private foundation with the stated goal of advancing human welfare. Created in 1936 by Edsel Ford and his father Henry Ford, it was originally funded by a $25,000 (about $550,000 in 2023) gift from Edsel Ford. ...
to study at the
University of Manchester
The University of Manchester is a public university, public research university in Manchester, England. The main campus is south of Manchester city centre, Manchester City Centre on Wilmslow Road, Oxford Road. The University of Manchester is c ...
, where he obtained a master's degree in economics in 1972. He furthered his academic achievements by earning a doctorate in development economics from the same institution in 1975.
Political career
In 1979, Olowoporoku was appointed commissioner for economic planning and statistics in Ondo State.
In 1983, he became minister of science and technology under President Shehu Shagari. However, his tenure was cut short by the military coup that year.
From 2003 to 2007, Olowoporoku represented Ekiti South Senatorial District in the Nigerian Senate as a member of the People's Democratic Party (PDP).
Death
Olowoporoku died on March 24, 2021, following a brief illness.
See also
*
Ekiti State
Ekiti () is a state in southwestern Nigeria, bordered to the North by Kwara State for 61 km, to the Northeast by Kogi State for 92 km, to the South and Southeast by Ondo State, and to the West by Osun State for 84 km. Named for the Ekiti ...
*
Nigerian senators of the 5th National Assembly
References
{{reflist
1945 births
2021 deaths
Obafemi Awolowo University alumni
Alumni of the University of Manchester
Peoples Democratic Party (Nigeria) politicians
Senators of the 5th National Assembly (Nigeria)