Tension is rising in Oyo State following the decision of Governor Seyi Makinde to rename The Polytechnic, Ibadan, after the late former governor and first Rector of the institution, Dr. Omololu Olunloyo.
The announcement, made on Thursday, has sparked backlash from students and alumni, who say the change threatens the institution’s legacy and identity.
In a strongly worded statement released on Friday, the President of the Students’ Union Government (SUG), Oladipupo Olamide, described the decision as “unjustifiable” and a dismissal of the school’s historical significance.
“For over 50 years, The Polytechnic, Ibadan has stood as a beacon of academic excellence,” Olamide said. “Renaming the institution disregards this rich heritage and risks erasing the identity and legacy that thousands of students and alumni have worked hard to build.”
He emphasized that the school’s name commands national recognition and has come to symbolize quality education, particularly within the technical and vocational sectors. According to him, altering that name could tarnish its hard-earned reputation.
“We urge the governor to reconsider this move. We are open to dialogue and willing to explore alternative ways to honour Dr. Olunloyo without compromising the institution’s name or values,” Olamide added.
Echoing the sentiments of the students, alumni groups also voiced their disapproval. One of the most vocal critics was Yomi Akande, an alumnus and a leader of the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) at the polytechnic. Akande acknowledged the late Olunloyo’s contribution to the school but insisted that the change of name does not align with the aspirations of its past or present community.
“As an alumnus, I know how much weight the name ‘The Polytechnic, Ibadan’ carries, not just in Nigeria but globally. Changing that name may come with unintended consequences, it doesn’t translate into development or improvement in learning infrastructure,” Akande said.
The controversy has sparked wider debate on legacy, memory, and the preservation of institutional identity in Nigerian higher education. For many in the school community, honouring a pioneer like Dr. Olunloyo should not come at the cost of erasing the name that has become synonymous with academic excellence and social mobility.
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