Polytechnic, Ibadan Students Protest, Reject Renaming to Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic
Students of The Polytechnic, Ibadan have staged a major protest at the Oyo State Government Secretariat, demanding that Governor Seyi Makinde reverse his decision to rename the institution after former governor and first rector, Dr. Victor Omololu Olunloyo.
The renaming, which was recently announced during a memorial service for the late elder statesman, has sparked outrage among students, alumni, and civil society groups.
The protesting students, under the banner of the institution’s Students’ Union Government (SUG), described the renaming as a deeply unpopular move that undermines the historical identity and academic legacy of one of Nigeria’s most respected polytechnics.
They argued that the original name — The Polytechnic, Ibadan — has over the decades become a symbol of academic pride, heritage, and excellence, both locally and internationally.
“Our institution has built a name that carries weight and recognition across the world,” said Oladipupo Olamide, President of the SUG. “Changing the name would not only erase this legacy but also confuse the identity of the institution and its alumni. We are not against honouring Dr. Olunloyo, but this is not the way to do it.”
The students marched to the gates of the government secretariat in Agodi, Ibadan, calling on the governor to prioritize development over symbolic gestures.
They carried placards with messages such as “Respect our legacy” and “A name is our identity, don’t erase it.”
In a formal letter submitted to the Oyo State House of Assembly, the students pleaded with lawmakers to intervene. They described the renaming as “unjustifiable” and warned that such a move would cause unnecessary confusion in academic and administrative documentation, especially for graduates seeking recognition abroad.
The protest was also backed by alumni associations and civil society groups, including the Youth Arise Movement, which issued a statement urging the government to honour Dr. Olunloyo through alternative means — such as naming a campus building, road, or academic centre after him. Comrade Ademola Babatunde Abidemi, convener of the group, said the government’s focus should be on infrastructure improvement, curriculum expansion, and staff welfare.
Non-academic staff also voiced their displeasure. Yomi Akande, a union leader, noted that the name change does not come with any development or benefit for the students or workers, and only serves to distort the institution’s legacy.
Governor Makinde had announced the renaming at a public event, describing Dr. Olunloyo as a technocrat, scholar, and the polytechnic’s first rector who deserved to be immortalized. He said the institution would henceforth be known as Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan, and also revealed plans to digitize the late scholar’s personal library.
However, critics say that while honouring legacies is commendable, it should not come at the cost of institutional identity. A petition launched by alumni on Change.org has garnered growing support, as former students echo the call for the governor to reconsider.
With mounting public pressure, all eyes are now on the Oyo State House of Assembly, which is expected to debate the issue in the coming days. Students have vowed to sustain their resistance until the government rescinds the decision.
As the controversy unfolds, the larger debate about how best to honour national figures — without alienating the people most directly affected — remains front and centre in public discourse.
