Tensions flared in Ibadan on Tuesday morning as students of The Polytechnic, Ibadan took to the streets in a large-scale protest against the Oyo State Government’s decision to rename the institution after late former Governor Dr. Omololu Olunloyo.
The protest, which began early in the day at the institution’s main gate, quickly escalated, bringing traffic to a standstill along the ever-busy Sango–Eleyele Road. Commuters, staff, and local residents were left stranded for hours as students blocked the roads, chanting solidarity songs and brandishing placards reading “Keep the Legacy” and “Our Name, Our Identity.”
The protest gained traction on social media, with TikTok user @CHASE07 live-streaming scenes of students chanting, dancing, and expressing their outrage at the renaming. The livestream drew thousands of viewers as the demonstration unfolded.
The students’ anger stems from an announcement made by Governor Seyi Makinde during a recent commendation service for Olunloyo, where he declared that the institution would now be known as Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan. The late Dr. Olunloyo, a respected figure and the school’s pioneer rector, passed away on April 6, 2025, just shy of his 90th birthday.
However, students argue that renaming the school disregards its rich legacy and long-standing identity.
In a formal letter dated June 26 and addressed to Governor Makinde, the Students’ Union Government (SUG) called the move “unjustifiable” and “a disregard for over five decades of academic legacy.” The letter, signed by SUG President Oladipupo Olamide and General Secretary Azeez Tolase, stressed:
“For over 50 years, The Polytechnic Ibadan has been a beacon of academic excellence… Renaming the institution would erase its identity and legacy, causing irreparable harm to its reputation and alumni.”
The union also expressed willingness to engage in dialogue but stood firm in its demand that the original name be retained.
