Olawale Abayomi Sanya

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Olawale Abayomi Sanya, known to family and friends as Wale, passed away on August 3, 2026, in Dothan, Alabama, at the age of 58.

He was born in Lagos, Nigeria, and carried the spirit of his homeland with him throughout his life. Wale was a man of intelligence, kindness, and adventure, and those qualities shaped the way he lived, worked, and loved. He was deeply rooted in the Catholic faith and his life reflected devotion, humility, and a sincere care for others.

Wale began his education in Nigeria and later obtained his undergraduate training in Watford, UK. He then returned to Nigeria, where he earned his law degree from the University of Benin, Edo State. His education reflected both discipline and ambition, and it laid a strong foundation for the many paths his life would later take. He valued learning and carried himself with the thoughtful confidence of someone who understood the importance of knowledge and perseverance.

In 1996, Wale moved to the United States and began building a new chapter of his life. He worked in a variety of businesses as he established himself, including banking. Over time, his career led him into the field of information technology, where he found lasting purpose and success. For the last 15 years, he worked with Strategic Education, assisting various colleges with their online college course software. His work was marked by dedication, reliability, and a quiet commitment to excellence. He was respected by those who knew him professionally and appreciated for the steady and thoughtful way he approached his responsibilities. The recurrent word that family and friends have used to describe him is ‘meticulous’.

During his years in the United States, Wale lived in various states and embraced the journey of building a life across different places. Though his path took him far from where he was born, he remained connected to the values of family, faith, and hard work that had always guided him. He adapted with strength and grace, and he met life’s changes with courage and determination.

Wale loved his two children Ivy and Levi deeply, and they were among the greatest joys of his life. He was a devoted father whose love was steady, sincere, and enduring. He also leaves behind three older siblings – Mrs. Bimbo Fisayo (Lagos, Nigeria), Mr. Tunde Sanya (Lagos, Nigeria), Dr (Mrs) Lara (Joshua) Otaigbe, Hattiesburg, MS., his fiancé, Dr. Vivian Ekemezie and numerous family members and friends who will remember him with affection and gratitude. His presence in their lives was meaningful, and his memory will remain a source of comfort and strength. He is preceded in death by his parents, Simon and Lydia Sanya; and cousins Felix N. Akpe and Ngozi Akpe.

He had a special love for warm weather, the ocean and sea life, a love that reflected the place where he grew up. Raised in the coastal city of Lagos, he spent his early years on the beach with his family and siblings, and that connection to the water stayed with him throughout his life. He loved ships and boats and was drawn to the beauty, power, and peace of the sea. That lifelong affection for the ocean was part of what made him who he was, and it spoke to his adventurous spirit and his appreciation for the world around him.

Wale will be remembered as a smart, kind, and adventurous man who lived with dignity and warmth. He touched the lives of those around him through his intelligence, his generosity of spirit, and his love for his family. Though he is no longer present in body, the legacy he leaves behind will endure in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.

May his memory be a blessing, and may he rest in eternal peace.