Backlash Trails Renaming of The Polytechnic Ibadan as Students, Alumni Reject Makinde’s Decision

The decision by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, to rename The Polytechnic, Ibadan after the late former governor and academic, Dr. Victor Omololu Olunloyo, has triggered widespread opposition from students and alumni of the institution.

The renaming, announced Thursday during a commendation service for Olunloyo at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, has been met with sharp criticism from the institution’s Students’ Union Government (SUG) and a chorus of dissatisfied alumni who argue that the legacy and identity of the polytechnic are being erased.

In an official press release signed by SUG President Oladipupo Olamide, Public Relations Officer Akinade Ridwan Buniyamin, and General Secretary Azeez Tolase, the student body formally objected to the renaming and called for its immediate reversal.

“The name ‘The Polytechnic Ibadan’ is synonymous with quality education and has earned respect and recognition nationwide,” the statement read. “Renaming the institution would cause irreparable harm to its reputation and alumni pride.”

The union described the decision as unjustifiable and offered to engage the state government in a constructive dialogue to explore other ways of honouring the late statesman without tampering with the institution’s name.

The move has also sparked a wave of criticism from alumni across various sectors. Mr. Yomi Akande, an alumnus and Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) leader at the school, said the name carries global prestige and should not have been altered without broader consultation.

“As an alumnus of The Polytechnic Ibadan, the name is a force to reckon with anywhere in the world. Taking it away is unfair. The governor should have considered other factors before making such a pronouncement,” Akande told NAN.

Other alumni echoed similar sentiments. Mr. Olaoluwa Olabode said the renaming bears political undertones and offers no tangible development benefits. Mr. Sanmi Olatunde suggested renaming a building in the school rather than the entire institution, while Mr. Tayo Olaleye insisted that the change would harm students’ ability to leverage alumni networks and job opportunities.

“This is a prestigious institution whose name has been resounding for decades. We do not welcome the sudden renaming,” Olaleye said.

Meanwhile, the Oyo State chapter of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) urged calm. Its chairman, Comrade Tiamiyu Ademola, advised students not to protest but encouraged stakeholders to engage Governor Makinde respectfully, noting that the decision could still be reversed.

“We believe that Governor Seyi Makinde is a listening governor. With the right approach, this decision can still be reviewed,” Ademola said.

However, not all reactions were critical. Alhaji Moshood Olaleke, a chieftain of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), commended the governor for honouring Olunloyo, calling him a brilliant mathematician and visionary whose brief tenure as governor in the 1980s laid the groundwork for modern governance in the state.

“No honour is too great for a man like Olunloyo,” Olaleke remarked, praising the governor’s gesture as timely and deserved.

Dr. Omololu Olunloyo, who died on April 6, 2025, just days shy of his 90th birthday, was not only a former governor but also the pioneer rector of The Polytechnic, Ibadan — a fact cited by the governor as the rationale behind the name change.