Despite mounting protests and widespread criticism, the Oyo State Government has reiterated its commitment to renaming The Polytechnic Ibadan after the late Dr Victor Omololu Olunloyo, describing the move as “a worthy decision” that honours a “worthy son” of the state.
This stance was confirmed by the Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Prince Dotun Oyelade, in a fresh statement on Channels Television on Wednesday morning, addressing the controversy that has engulfed the renaming proposal.
The commissioner described the ongoing student protests as “miscarried and misplaced,” maintaining that the decision to honour Olunloyo would not be reversed.
“Don’t forget, this was the same gentleman who, at the age of 35 in 1970, was appointed the first rector of the institution,” Oyelade said. “We believe the protest is miscarried and misplaced. We stand by that decision because it is a worthy decision and a worthy son of Oyo State.”
While acknowledging the concerns raised by students and other stakeholders, the commissioner stressed that the government remains respectful of student voices but must also uphold what it believes is fair and just.
“We respect our students, but as the Deputy Governor rightly said, we would do anything to please the students, but we would also be fair. This time around, we are sticking by our decision,” he added.
This reaffirmation comes on the heels of a massive protest led by students of the Polytechnic, who blocked the school gates and major roads in Ibadan on Tuesday, disrupting movement and academic activity. The protest was in response to Governor Seyi Makinde’s announcement that the institution would be renamed “Victor Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan” in honour of the late scholar, who was a former governor of Oyo State and the pioneer principal of the school.
Student leaders, alumni associations, and civil society groups have all voiced opposition, arguing that the Polytechnic’s name represents decades of academic heritage and regional pride. Many critics see the renaming as unnecessary, symbolic politics that fails to address deeper issues like infrastructure decay, underfunding, and labour disputes within the institution.
Still, the government has made it clear that its decision is final. With this latest statement from the commissioner, the state administration appears determined to push ahead with the change, setting the stage for further tensions between the government and student bodies in the coming days.
The governor needs to stop taking those drugs, like don’t he know how the name is impactful in oyo state
The school is down if he changes the name, the change of the name will affect the school oyo state in general
How will someone just decided just like that without even asking permission from the school, he might win later, but Tpi students, oyo state will never forget him and he should remember he has other things to do in life after the his tenure ending and he had children