Oyo Govt Snubs Students’ Outcry, Insists On Renaming Ibadan Poly After Olunloyo
Despite growing outrage from students of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, the Oyo State Government has declared that its decision to rename the institution after the late former governor, Dr. Omololu Olunloyo, is final and will not be reversed.
The State Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, who made this known while speaking on The Morning Brief, a Channels Television programme on Wednesday, described the protest by the students as “misplaced” and borne out of ignorance of the immense contributions of Olunloyo to the institution and the state.
“The decision stands. Don’t forget, this was the same gentleman who, at the age of 35 in 1970, was appointed the first rector of this institution. So, we believe that the protestation is rather miscarried and misplaced,” Oyelade said.
On Tuesday, scores of students had stormed the Oyo State Government Secretariat in protest against the name change, demanding the restoration of the original name of the school.
The protest was led by the President of the Students Union Government (SUG) of the institution, Olamide Oladipupo, who insisted that the name “The Polytechnic, Ibadan” carries decades of legacy and global recognition that should not be tampered with.
However, the state government, while acknowledging the students’ right to protest, has remained unmoved.
“We respect our students a lot. We defer to them, and as the deputy governor said yesterday, we will do anything to bend over backwards to please them. But we will be fair, and we will be tough. This time around, we are sticking by our decision,” Oyelade stated.
The renaming, which was officially announced by Governor Seyi Makinde during a state interdenominational funeral service held for the late scholar on June 26, 2025, at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Liberty Road, Ibadan, was part of efforts by the state government to immortalise the late politician.
Olunloyo, who died on April 6, 2025, was a distinguished academic and administrator, serving briefly as governor of the state between October and December 1983. He was also the first principal of the polytechnic.
Announcing the decision, Makinde had said, “I talked about preserving and digitising his library yesterday as a mark of honour to Baba Olunloyo. 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.”
But students are not convinced. “This name change erodes the identity that generations of students, alumni and staff have built,” one protester.
“It’s not about disrespecting Olunloyo, but about preserving the institution’s legacy,” a student said.
Despite the pushback, the government maintains that the honour is well deserved.
“He was a worthy son of the state. This is a decision rooted in history, not politics,” Oyelade said.
Sodiq Lawal is a passionate and dedicated journalist with a knack for uncovering captivating stories in the bustling metropolis of Osun State and Nigeria at large. He has a versatile reporting style, covering a wide range of topics, from politics , campus, and social issues to arts and culture, seeking impact in all facets of the society.
