Tensions have escalated at The Polytechnic, Ibadan, following the renaming of the institution after the late former Governor Omololu Olunloyo, as hundreds of students took to the school gate in protest on Tuesday morning.
The aggrieved students, now calling for the reversal of the name change, gathered at the institution’s main gate along Sango–Eleyele Road in Ibadan, Oyo State, temporarily disrupting traffic and academic activities.
This comes despite a clear warning from the school management urging students to shelve their protest plans in the wake of the renaming announcement by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde.
Governor Makinde recently renamed the polytechnic in honour of Olunloyo, who passed away in June at age 89, citing the former governor’s legacy and contributions to the state.
However, many students have rejected the change, accusing the government of ignoring their sentiments and historical attachment to the institution’s original identity.
Chanting slogans and displaying placards, the protesters demanded a return to the former name, insisting that the decision should have involved wider consultations with students and alumni.
As of press time, all academic and administrative activities within the campus have been suspended. The Sango–Eleyele road remains partially blocked, leading to traffic buildup in surrounding areas.
This protest marks the second time students have expressed dissatisfaction over the name change from The Polytechnic, Ibadan, with similar tensions reported days earlier. Authorities are monitoring the situation, but no reports of violence have emerged yet.
Details to follow as the story develops.
