Most undergraduates are content with good grades and a certificate. However, Samuel Bankole Omoleye 400-level student at the Federal University of Technology Akure ,FUTA is chasing something deeper — a fusion of passion, purpose, and pioneering design.
Studying Meteorology and Climate Science . Samuel might seem out of place with his love for crafting models and architecture but the 20-something-year-old is anything but misplaced. He is purposefully creating a path that reflects both his scientific training and artistic soul — a journey he fondly calls “Project 3.0.”
Recently, Samuel presented a white grand piano model — a work of intricate craftsmanship and symbolism — to the Vice Chancellor of FUTA, Professor Adenike Oladiji who described the gift as priceless and validation of the creativity and resourcefulness of FUTA products.
“It’s one of a series I’ve been working on. This is the third edition,” he said, his eyes lighting up with a mix of pride and humility. “I tagged it My Project 3.0.” This grand piano is a construction of a mix of artistic design and a juke box. The piano is one designed to play music through Bluetooth connection. It has several buttons that control volume, mode and even the charging of the music device which is embedded in the piano. And like most other audio devices, it can be used to listen to regular radio programmes. It is indeed a functional piece of art to behold!
Samuel’s love for art and structure started early. As a boy, he dreamed of becoming a fine artist. But like many African first-born sons, parental expectations weighed heavily. “My dad wanted me to study electrical engineering,” he recounted. “He questioned if I could point out a successful artist in our community. And truly, with limited access to the internet back then, I couldn’t.”
The discouragement was crushing. Yet, it planted the seeds of a new quest — to find a career that merged his love for aesthetics with the credibility of science. His answer: Architecture. “Architecture gave me a middle ground. It required technical skill, but also creativity. I was good with joints, drawing, and crafting — it all began to make sense,” he said.
Samuel eventually changed from Arts and Humanities class to Science class midway through senior secondary school, making a defining switch to align his academic route with his innate talent.
Despite his determination, the path was not linear. Though he aspired to study architecture at University, space constraints forced him into Meteorology. Rather than giving up, Samuel began to see a compelling synergy between the two fields.
“I discovered that architecture isn’t just about structures. It’s about how buildings respond to climate — how to make people comfortable in their environment,” he explained. “That’s where meteorology comes in.” His dream of designing climate-resilient buildings was born. “My course in meteorology became an advantage, not a setback. It teaches the science behind environmental comfort and structure” he explained.
Driven by this vision, Samuel set a personal challenge to launch a new project every academic session — projects that combine innovation, craftsmanship, and relevance. His first project was a block structure logo. Then came the elegant White Grand Piano model, a tribute to his love for music and structural form. The most recent? The University’s 2,500-capacity auditorium model, a structure that reveals his evolving design ambition.
All were self-funded. “I use my stipend — what I get from home. I take my time, bit by bit,” he said. “These projects are not sponsored. They are labours of love — my way of showcasing my interest and talent” he added.
Today, his once-skeptical father is slowly becoming a believer. “Initially, my dad didn’t see the relevance. My room was always littered with materials. But when he saw what I was producing — the attention to detail, the discipline — he began to support me in his own way.”
Samuel’s inspiration stretches beyond the walls of FUTA. He references Institutions like MIT, where students are valued not for their fees, but for their contribution to society. “That opened my mind. He said, “Why wait until graduation to make an impact? I want my work to speak even as a student.”
He also draws motivation from architecture students in China who drafted structures that brought economic benefits to their schools. “That showed me that student work can have real value,” he said.
With just months to graduation, Samuel isn’t slowing down. He continues to assist final-year architecture students with their design models and documents every project carefully for a personal gallery he hopes to establish someday.
Asked if he seeks public or institutional attention, his response is sincere. “Yes, I do. Not for applause, but for opportunities to expand my impact. I’m building for the future — not just for myself, but for communities” he noted.
Samuel Bankole Omole is quietly proving that one doesn’t have to choose between passion and practicality.
With a grand piano model gifted to the Vice Chancellor and a heart full of vision, he is designing more than structures. He’s designing a legacy.
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.
