Students of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, took to the streets on Tuesday in a massive demonstration against the Oyo State Government’s decision to rename the institution after former Governor Omololu Olunloyo.
The protest disrupted traffic along the busy Sango-Eleyele Road, leaving commuters, staff, and residents stranded for hours. Videos shared online showed students chanting slogans and holding placards with messages like “Keep the legacy” as they demanded the reversal of the name change.
Governor Seyi Makinde had announced the renaming during a tribute event for the late Olunloyo, who served as governor briefly in 1983 and was the school’s pioneer rector. However, students argue that altering the institution’s name erases its decades-long heritage and identity.
In a letter to the governor, the Students' Union Government (SUG) called the decision “unjustifiable” and warned that it would damage the school’s reputation. They insisted on retaining the original name while expressing willingness to engage in dialogue.
As tensions rise, the state government has yet to respond to the students’ demands. Alumni and stakeholders are also expected to react strongly to the controversial move.
(Source: Eyewitness reports and student union correspondence)
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