Polytechnic Ibadan Students Shut Down Roads in Protest Over Name Change

Students of The Polytechnic Ibadan staged a large protest on Tuesday morning, voicing strong opposition to the recent decision by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde to rename the school after the late former governor, Dr. Omololu Olunloyo.

The protest, which began early in the day at the institution’s main gate, saw hundreds of students take to the streets, blocking major roads, especially along the Sango-Eleyele Road. Traffic came to a standstill as both pedestrians and motorists were stuck for hours.

Placards with messages like “Keep the legacy” were seen in the crowd, as students sang and demanded that the school’s original name be maintained. According to them, changing the name is an insult to the institution’s history and identity.

A user named CHASE07 also streamed the demonstration live on TikTok, giving many viewers a front-row seat to the unfolding protest.

Governor Makinde announced the decision to rename the school during a recent commendation service held at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium in Ibadan. 

He revealed that the school would now be called Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan, in memory of the late governor who once served as pioneer rector of the school and briefly as governor of old Oyo State in 1983. Dr. Olunloyo passed away on April 6, 2025, just before his 90th birthday.

But the students are not in support of this move.

In a letter sent to the governor and dated June 26, 2025, the school’s Students’ Union Government (SUG) demanded that the decision be reversed.

The letter, signed by SUG President Oladipupo Olamide and General Secretary Azeez Tolase, described the renaming as “unjustifiable” and “a disrespect to over 50 years of academic history.”

“For over 50 years, The Polytechnic Ibadan has been a beacon of academic excellence,” the union wrote.

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“Renaming the institution would erase its identity and harm the legacy of its graduates.”

The students also said they are open to peaceful discussions with the government, but they remain firm in their demand that the school’s name must not be changed.

“The Polytechnic Ibadan must remain as The Polytechnic Ibadan,” they stressed.

Tuesday’s protest affected not only students but also lecturers, administrative staff, and residents in the area. Many workers could not access the campus, and road users were left stranded in the heavy gridlock caused by the demonstration.

As of the time of publishing this report, the Oyo State Government has not issued an official response to the protest or the letter from the student union.

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