Students Protest Against Renaming Of Ibadan Polytechnic After Omololu Olunloyo

Students of The Polytechnic Ibadan took to the streets on Tuesday, marching to the Oyo State Government Secretariat to protest the recent renaming of their school.

This comes after Governor Seyi Makinde announced plans to rename the institution after the late former governor, Omololu Olunloyo.

Holding placards with various messages, the students called on Makinde to reverse the decision and keep the institution’s original name, saying it carries decades of history and global recognition.

The protest was led by the Student Union Government (SUG) President, Olamide Oladipupo, who said the move was unnecessary and undermines the identity the school has built over the years.

According to him, the name “The Polytechnic Ibadan” represents a legacy that shouldn’t be tampered with.

In response, the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Security, Sunday Odukoya, addressed the crowd and urged the students to remain peaceful while their concerns are being looked into.

Governor Makinde had made the renaming announcement on June 26, 2025, during the funeral service for Olunloyo at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium in Ibadan.

He said, “Today, we will be giving Baba another honour to immortalise him. He was the first Principal of The Polytechnic, Ibadan; that institution will now be named Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan.”

Olunloyo, who passed away in April 2025, was widely respected as an academic and public servant. But despite his achievements, students believe renaming the polytechnic is not the right way to honour him.

This protest follows a broader trend across Nigeria where recent decisions to rename universities after notable figures have sparked backlash.

Similar resistance met the renaming of the University of Abuja to Yakubu Gowon University and the University of Lagos to Moshood Abiola University, with many calling for those decisions to be reversed as well.

See some photos below:

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