In a dramatic display of dissent, students of The Polytechnic, Ibadan staged a large-scale protest today, shutting down major access roads and the institution’s main gates in opposition to the recent renaming of the school to Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan.
The protest, which began in the early hours of Tuesday, saw hundreds of students block the busy Sango-Eleyele Road, leaving commuters stranded and halting vehicular movement across key routes in the city. Staff members were also unable to access the campus as all entry points were barricaded by demonstrators.
The students, led by the Students’ Union Government (SUG), voiced strong opposition to Governor Seyi Makinde’s announcement last week during a memorial event for the late Dr. Victor Omololu Olunloyo, a former governor of old Oyo State. They argue that the renaming disregards the institution’s over 50-year legacy and undermines its established identity in Nigeria’s academic landscape.
“The Polytechnic, Ibadan has a rich legacy spanning over five decades, and its name is synonymous with excellence in education. Renaming it would erase its identity and legacy,” said SUG President Oladipupo Olamide in a formal petition to the Oyo State House of Assembly.
The protest has drawn attention from civil society groups and alumni, many of whom question the rationale behind the renaming. Critics argue that while Dr. Olunloyo’s contributions to the state are acknowledged, the institution’s name should not be altered without broad stakeholder consultation.
The Oyo State Road Transport Management Agency (OYTMA) has advised motorists to seek alternative routes through Dugbe, Mokola, or Ajibode to avoid the protest zone.