The students of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, staged a massive protest at the Oyo State Government Secretariat, vehemently opposing the recent decision by Governor Seyi Makinde to rename the institution after the late former governor, Dr. Omololu Olunloyo.
The demonstrators, led by the President of the Students’ Union Government (SUG), Olamide Oladipupo, carried placards with bold inscriptions rejecting the renaming. The students argued that the institution’s name is not just a label but a symbol of its identity and heritage, recognized across Nigeria and beyond.
The protest, which began at the South Campus main gate, proceeded through the ever-busy Sango-Eleyele Road to the Oyo State Government Secretariat. The demonstration caused significant traffic disruptions, leaving hundreds of commuters stranded.
In an attempt to pacify the aggrieved students, the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Security, Sunday Odukoya, addressed the protesters. He appealed for calm and assured them that while the governor is currently not available to address the matter, their concerns would be conveyed to the governor.
Despite his appeal, the students insisted on maintaining their stand until the state government reverses its decision. They later returned to the school campus, vowing to continue pressing their demands through peaceful means.
The renaming of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, has sparked wide debate among stakeholders, with many urging the state government to explore other avenues to immortalize the late Omololu Olunloyo without altering the identity of the renowned institution.
Polytechnic Ibadan Students Protest Renaming, Demand Restoration of Institution’s Original Name
