On Tuesday, high tension gripped Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, as hundreds of students from The Polytechnic, Ibadan, stormed the streets in a massive protest against the recent government decision to rename their beloved institution.
The protest, which turned the usually busy Sango-Eleyele Road into a scene of chaos, saw students in large numbers chanting solidarity songs, carrying placards, and expressing anger over what they described as an "imposed change" that threatens the institution’s identity and legacy. Many commuters were left stranded for several hours as the demonstrators completely shut down both entrances to the school and blocked the adjoining roads, making vehicular and pedestrian movement almost impossible.
The uproar began following an announcement by Governor Seyi Makinde declaring that the institution would henceforth be called Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, in honour of the late elder statesman and former governor of old Oyo State, Omololu Olunloyo. Olunloyo, who passed away recently at the age of 89, was the first Ibadan indigene to govern the old Oyo State and is widely respected for his contributions to the state’s development.
However, despite the good intentions behind the renaming, the students expressed deep displeasure, arguing that the decision was taken without adequate consultation with the institution’s stakeholders, including students, alumni, and staff. Many students insisted that the original name, "The Polytechnic, Ibadan," holds historical significance and is a brand that has earned national and international recognition over the years.
"They want to change our identity without asking us! This name represents our struggle, our achievements, and our pride," one visibly angry student shouted during the protest. Another student added, "We are not against honouring our elders, but not at the expense of our institution's heritage."
Eyewitnesses reported that the students set up barricades with benches, tyres, and other items, effectively sealing off all access points to the campus. Passengers and commercial transport operators had to find alternative routes, while some resorted to trekking long distances to reach their destinations. Businesses around the campus area were also forced to close temporarily due to the tension and fear of possible escalation.
As the protest continued to gain momentum, the atmosphere remained tense, with chants echoing through the streets and social media flooded with live updates and videos from the protest ground. Various student union leaders addressed the crowd, urging them to remain peaceful but firm in their demand for the government to reverse the renaming decision.
At the time of filing this report, security operatives had been deployed to the area to monitor the situation and prevent possible violence, although no official statement had been released by the Oyo State Police Command or any other security agency regarding the incident. Meanwhile, the state government has yet to issue a response addressing the students’ demands or to clarify if there will be any reconsideration of the controversial renaming policy.
The protest has sparked widespread debate both online and offline, with many Nigerians taking sides on whether the renaming was a deserving honour to a respected statesman or a disregard for the institution’s long-standing identity. The coming days are expected to reveal whether the government will yield to the pressure from the student body or maintain its current stance.