By Ebenezer Adurokiya
VINCENT Olujimi Oluwasemola Ogunmola Esq., lived a remarkable 71 years defined by learning, professional excellence, public service, family devotion and an enduring commitment to personal growth.
Born on 5 January 1955 to the late Mr and Mrs Tiamiyu Ogunmola of Odope Quarters, Oba Akoko, Ondo State, Vincent grew into a man whose journey cut across education, public administration and the legal profession.
His early education began at Baptist Day Primary School and Z I Modern School, Oba Akoko, before he proceeded to St Patrick’s College, Iwaro Oka-Akoko, where he completed his secondary education.
His appetite for knowledge remained undiminished. He attended Special Sixth Form College, Ikare-Akoko, for his West African Examinations Council Advanced Level studies. He subsequently gained admission through Direct Entry to the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in History in 1987.
Two years later, he further strengthened his academic credentials at the University of Lagos, obtaining a Master of Arts degree in History in 1989.
But for Vincent, education was not merely an avenue to academic qualifications. It was a lifelong pursuit. His later decision to study Law demonstrated his willingness to explore new fields, acquire new skills and broaden his contribution to society.
A Career Dedicated to Public Service
On 30 November 1992, Vincent received his appointment letter into the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC).
For more than two decades, he served the Commission with discipline and commitment, rising through the ranks and contributing to its mandate of promoting road safety and protecting lives on Nigerian roads.
His career in the FRSC became an important chapter in his life, placing him in the service of the Nigerian public and giving him the opportunity to contribute to a cause that directly affected the safety and wellbeing of citizens.
After years of dedicated service, he retired from the Commission on 5 January 2015 as Assistant Corps Commandant (ACC).
From History to Law
Even while building his career in public service, Vincent continued to expand his intellectual horizons.
His interest in law eventually took him to the University of Jos, where he obtained a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree in 2000.
He proceeded to the Nigerian Law School, Abuja Campus, and was called to the Nigerian Bar after obtaining his Barrister-at-Law (B.L.) qualification in 2003.
His transition from History to Law captured something fundamental about his personality: he was not content to stop learning.
The journey from historian to public servant and subsequently to lawyer reflected his determination to reinvent himself, embrace new challenges and remain useful to society.
A Husband and Family Man
Beyond his academic and professional achievements was a man deeply connected to family.
On 9 April 1987, Vincent married his heartthrob, Mrs Funmilayo Victoria Vincent. Their marriage became a significant pillar of his life. Together, they built a home and shared the joys, responsibilities, challenges and memories that accompany a life lived in partnership.
For Vincent, family was not an afterthought to professional accomplishment. It was central to his identity and the legacy he leaves behind.
A Life of Continuous Growth
Vincent’s 71-year journey took him from the quiet beginnings of Oba-Akoko to classrooms in Ile-Ife, Lagos and Jos, and eventually into public service and the legal profession.
His story was one of perseverance and continuous self-development.
He demonstrated through his life that one’s beginnings do not have to determine the limits of one’s aspirations. His academic journey evolved from History to Law, while his professional path moved from scholarship to public service and, ultimately, the legal profession.
Across those different chapters, one quality remained constant: a desire to learn, serve and contribute meaningfully.
His Final Journey
After 71 years, Vincent Olujimi Oluwasemola Ogunmola, Esq., passed away in a Lagos hospital on 19 September 2026.
His death marked the end of a journey that spanned more than seven decades and touched different spheres of Nigerian life.
He leaves behind memories shaped by his roles as husband, family man, scholar, public servant, lawyer and advocate for personal development.
His life offers a portrait of a man who continually sought knowledge, embraced new responsibilities and devoted significant portions of his life to serving others.
As family, friends, colleagues and associates mourn his passing, they will also remember the journey he made — from Oba-Akoko to the university, from public service to the Nigerian Bar, and from professional achievement to family life.
The story of Vincent Ogunmola is ultimately the story of a life spent learning, serving and building.
May his memory be a blessing to all who knew and loved him.
