Olusegun Adeyemo
A cross-section of education stakeholders in Ibadan, Oyo State, has expressed divergent views regarding the recent decision by Governor Seyi Makinde to rename The Polytechnic, Ibadan, after the late former governor of the state, Dr. Omololu Olunloyo.
In reactions gathered by The Journal Nigeria, some former students and concerned citizens voiced their disapproval of the move, arguing that the institution’s legacy and identity should be preserved.
Mr. Tunde Akintola, an alumnus of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, stated that many former students are not in support of the renaming.
“We don’t agree with this decision. Even when UNILAG was proposed to be renamed after MKO Abiola, the students resisted it, and the name was never changed. It remains UNILAG, not MALAGA,” he said.
Another former student, Mr. Stephen Bright, suggested that instead of renaming the institution, the government should focus on upgrading it to university status.
“It’s the only Polytechnic in Nigeria that starts with ‘The’ — The Polytechnic, Ibadan. That uniqueness should be preserved,” he added.
However, others believe the renaming is misplaced. A teacher, Mr. Bola Adepoju, criticized the governor’s decision as a misplacement of priorities.
“This is a misapplication of priority. It’s not what we expected from Governor Seyi Makinde,” Adepoju stated.
An Ibadan resident, Mr. Olufemi Oladejo, strongly opposed the renaming and called on the Students’ Union of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, to reject it.
“Leave The Polytechnic, Ibadan as it is. Name something else after Dr. Olunloyo. That name carries glory and history for the people of Ibadan. Just because your children don’t school in Nigeria doesn’t mean you should rename institutions without consideration. Name a road or building after him, not our beloved Polytechnic,” he asserted.
On the other hand, some stakeholders supported the move. Education consultant Mr. Matthew Olojede, noted that the late Omololu Olunloyo was a pioneer rector of the institution and deserves to be honored.
“Olunloyo truly deserves this recognition,” Olojede said.
Efforts by Journal Nigeria to get a response from the institution’s Public Relations Officer, Asiwaju Soladoye Adewale, were unsuccessful. Attempts to reach him via WhatsApp also went unanswered at the time of this report.