Academic activities at the Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan, formerly known as The Polytechnic, Ibadan, came to a halt yesterday following a peaceful student protest.
The demonstration was sparked by Governor Seyi Makinde’s decision to rename the institution after the late former governor, citing his significant contributions to education in Oyo State and beyond.
The renaming has been met with mixed reactions, with some praising the governor’s move while others, including student leaders and alumni, have expressed strong opposition. The students’ protest brought campus life to a standstill, with both the South and North campus gates closed, causing disruptions to commuters and motorists.
The aggrieved students marched to the Governor’s Office in Agodi, demanding a reversal of the renaming decision. They held placards with slogans such as “Revert the Name Now,” “We Are Not Consulted,” and “Our Identity, Our Pride.” Students’ Union leader Olamide Oladipupo expressed concerns about the lack of consultation and disregard for the institution’s legacy.
“We are not against honouring leaders, but not at the expense of our institution’s legacy. Sincerely, as bonafide students of the Polytechnic, Ibadan, we are not here to fight or revolt. This is not a protest; this is a way of channeling our grievances,” Oladipupo said.
The students requested that the institution’s name be reinstated to its original form, citing its 50-year heritage and global alumni network. “What we want is for the name of our school to remain The Polytechnic, Ibadan. This is a heritage of over 50 years with alumni all over the world. We can’t allow that heritage to be swept away. We want the name to remain The Polytechnic, Ibadan.”
Oladipupo added, “We are here to plead with the governor; we are not here to fight. There is no placard that speaks against the governor. We want the governor to attend to us. There are other monuments that can be named after the late governor. We have ample land for the government to build on and name after him. We are open to discussions; we do not want the name to change.”
In response, Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal assured the students that their grievances would be taken seriously. “On behalf of the governor of Oyo State, I beg and admonish you that your demands will be placed before the governor, who is currently unavailable. Whenever he is back, your demands will be presented to him.
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