Background
Olowu was born in Lagos, Nigeria on 7 June 1924 to B. M. S. Olowu and R. A. Olowu (née Tinubu).
Olowu was born in Lagos, Nigeria on 7 June 1924 to B. M. S. Olowu and R. A. Olowu (née Tinubu).
He attended Saint Paul’s Primary School, Breadfruit Lagos where in 1936 he began his sporting career represented his school in the Empire Day Athletics in commemoration of the British Empire Day, which was celebrated in Britain and its colonies before the independence in 1960.
Olowu participated in the 1952 Summer Olympics and in the 1956 Summer Olympics. At the 1992 Barcelona Olympics he became the first Nigerian Olympic torch bearer. He is one of Africa"s oldest living Olympians.
He is the first grandson of Madam Tinubu and Saka Tinubu, part of a wealthy Yoruba family.
He later attended Content Management System Grammar School, Lagos where he was the sports prefect (Prefectus Ludorum). He graduated with honors in 1955
Olowu was among the first group of Nigerians to participate in the Olympic Games.
He represented the country twice at the Olympics in 1952 and 1956 respectively in long jump and relay race. He also took part in the Commonwealth Games of 1950, 1954 and 1958.
Athletics official
Olowu served in athletics in many other capacities.
He was an official at the 8th Commonwealth Games in Kingston, Jamaica in 1966. He was the Nigerian team manager to the 1976 Summer Olympics, Montréal, Canada. All the African countries eventually boycotted the Canada games because of the presence of the then apartheid South Africa at the games.
He served as the Chairman, Lagos State Sports Council.
He was the chief starter at the 1973 All-Africa Games held in Lagos, Nigeria. He also served as captain and as a coach of the national teams at various times.
Olowu was married to Aminat Olowu (née Abina) until her death. He is the Chairman of the Olowu descendants Union and he is also the head of the Tinubu Family.
The Nigerian Olympic Committee Incorporated Award (1995)
National Sports Award (1987)
Istituto Nazionale di Oceanografia e di Geofisica Merit Awards for contribution and service to Content Management System Grammar School in particular and Nigeria as a federation (2003)
Special awards and meritorious service to the development of sports in Nigeria by Football College(2001)
Officer of the Order of Niger (OON) (2006).