
A wave of opposition has greeted the Oyo State Government’s decision to rename The Polytechnic, Ibadan after former Governor Omololu Olunloyo, as alumni, students, and concerned stakeholders of the institution have strongly rejected the move.
In an open letter addressed to Governor Seyi Makinde on Wednesday, June 26, 2025, the group expressed “deep displeasure and categorical rejection” of the renaming, describing it as an affront to the institution’s legacy and identity.
According to the signatories, which include former students, current students, and other stakeholders, The Polytechnic, Ibadan is not merely an academic institution but a symbol of excellence, technological advancement, and national pride.
“The Polytechnic, Ibadan is a legacy that cannot and should not be erased through political decisions. Its name is deeply rooted in Nigeria’s educational and cultural history,” the letter stated.
The group accused the Makinde administration of making the decision without adequate consultation and warned that the move appears to be a politically motivated gesture rather than a people-centered policy.
“This renaming effort is viewed as a tone-deaf and politically self-serving move at a time when Oyo State faces more pressing developmental challenges,” the statement added.
They further cautioned the governor against presenting any bill to the Oyo State House of Assembly to formalize the renaming, vowing to resist such efforts “in the name of history, the people, and the moral conscience of Oyo State.”
The statement concluded with a strong appeal to Governor Makinde: “Let this not be part of your legacy. Let it not be recorded that under your watch, the identity of one of Nigeria’s greatest institutions was threatened for fleeting political gratification.”
The Polytechnic, Ibadan established in 1970 has long been regarded as one of Nigeria’s premier polytechnics and holds significant cultural and educational value in the country.