Ibadan Poly Students Protest Change of Name to Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic

Ibadan Poly Students Protest Change of Name to Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic

ESTHER SALIFU , Abuja

Students of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, staged a protest on Tuesday against the Oyo State government’s decision to rename the institution after the late former governor, Dr. Omololu Olunloyo.

The demonstration disrupted academic activities and left many commuters stranded in the city.

Governor Makinde announced the renaming of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, to Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic during a commendation service for the late Dr. Olunloyo, who was the institution’s first rector and served as governor of old Oyo State in 1983.

In response to the announcement, students took to street to protest.

It began early in the day, with students blocking the institution’s entrance gates and the busy Sango-Eleyele Road. This action halted vehicular movement, causing significant inconvenience to commuters and staff members who were unable to access the campus.

The students expressed their dissatisfaction with the renaming, citing a lack of consultation and the potential erasure of the institution’s 50-year legacy.

They carried placards with inscriptions such as “Revert The Name Now,” “We Are Not Consulted,” and “Our Identity, Our Pride.”

The Students Union President, Olamide Oladipupo, stated: “We are not against honouring leaders, but not at the expense of our institution’s legacy. This is a heritage of over 50 years with alumni all over the world. We can’t allow that heritage to be swept away.”

In response to the protest, Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal, addressed the students, urging them to remain calm. He assured them that their concerns would be communicated to Governor Seyi Makinde upon his return.

The renaming has also drawn criticism from alumni and various groups.

The Youth Arise Movement, led by former Students Union President, Ademola Babatunde Abidemi, argued that the name change could negatively impact the institution’s global reputation and the recognition of its graduates.

As the debate continues, students and stakeholders await the governor’s response to their appeals for the reinstatement of the institution’s original name.