Olusegun Adeyemo
Tension escalated in Ibadan on Tuesday as students of the newly renamed Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic continued their protests by storming the institution’s main gate in protest, demanding the reversal of the Oyo State Government’s decision to rename their school.
The protest, which began in the early hours of the day, caused gridlock along the busy Sango–Eleyele Road, as students chanted solidarity songs and held placards with inscriptions such as “We Are Ibadan Polytes, Not Olunloyites,” and “Respect Our Identity.”
This is the second time in weeks that the students have expressed dissatisfaction over the renaming of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, a name they argue carries a legacy and brand that transcends generations.
The uproar follows the announcement by Governor Seyi Makinde to rename the institution after Dr. Omololu Olunloyo, a former governor of the state and the first African to earn a PhD in mathematical physics.
Olunloyo passed away earlier this year at the age of 89, and the state government described the renaming as a fitting tribute to a man of “profound intellect and civic impact.” Incidentally, Dr Olunloyo is the first Rector of the institution.
However, many students and alumni see it differently.
“We respect Dr. Olunloyo and what he stood for, but you don’t just erase over 50 years of heritage in the name of honouring someone,” said Ayomide Folarin, a third-year engineering student. “This name has built careers, opened doors, and created identity. Changing it without consultation feels like theft.”
Despite warnings from the institution’s management over the weekend urging students not to engage in any form of protest, a large number showed up, effectively grounding academic and administrative activities for the day.
Lectures were suspended, and staff were seen leaving their offices amid concerns of escalation.
Security operatives, including men of the Operation Burst team and the Nigeria Police Force, were deployed to prevent breakdown of law and order, although the protest remained largely peaceful at press time.
Some students also blocked vehicular movement temporarily, causing traffic snarls from Oritamefa to Eleyele, forcing commuters to take alternative routes.
Founded in 1970, The Polytechnic, Ibadan, is one of Nigeria’s oldest and most prestigious polytechnics. With thousands of graduates contributing to the economy both at home and abroad, the school’s name has become a recognized academic brand.
Many students see the renaming as an erasure of collective memory.
“We are not against immortalizing heroes, but why must it be at the cost of an institution’s identity?” asked Tolu Balogun, an alumnus who joined the protest in solidarity. “There are roads, parks, even new universities that can be named after him. The decision was rash.”
Some students also questioned the timing and lack of public input, describing it as politically motivated.
In his earlier announcement, Governor Makinde defended the move as a long-overdue recognition of a distinguished son of Oyo State.
“Dr. Olunloyo was not just a politician; he was an academic, a genius, a statesman. This institution stands as a place of learning, and naming it after him is only right,” the governor stated.
The state has yet to officially respond to the latest protest, but sources within the Oyo State Ministry of Education hinted that the renaming is part of a broader rebranding strategy for tertiary education in the state.
The move has sparked fierce debate among the school’s alumni, with some welcoming it as a tribute to a worthy icon, while others insist the legacy of “The Polytechnic, Ibadan” must remain untouched.
“This is not about politics or personalities. This is about preserving legacy,” said Engr. Remi Oladejo, a 1993 graduate of the institution. “Even Harvard hasn’t changed its name in 400 years. You build on legacy, not erase it.”
With students vowing to continue the protest until the decision is reversed, the state government is under pressure to either stand its ground or open a channel of dialogue.
Observers warn that continued unrest could disrupt the academic calendar and further strain relations between the government and the student community.
For now, all eyes are on Governor Makinde’s next move: Will he yield to the voice of the students, or will he maintain the renaming in honour of a man whose academic legacy, ironically, is now at the centre of a campus revolt?