Polytechnic Ibadan: Makinde under fire as stakeholders hold views over name change

Students, alumni, organisations, notable personalities and other stakeholders have expressed divergent views over the plans by Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State to rename The Polytechnic Ibadan after a former governor of the state, Dr Victor Omololu Olunloyo.

Olunloyo was the first Ibadan indigene to serve as the governor of old Oyo State.

He served as governor between October 1 and December 31 1983.

DAILY POST gathered that Olunloyo, who died on April 6, 2025, was the pioneer Principal of the institution.

The former governor was a notable mathematician.

In order to honour him, Makinde announced his plans to rename the institution as Victor Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan.

Makinde said that Olunloyo lived an eventful life and that his attainment and personality could not be summarised in one sentence.

Students, alumni, other stakeholders kick, express divergent reactions

Meanwhile, students, alumni of the institution, notable personalities and other stakeholders have kicked against the action of the governor.

They advised the governor to rescind his decision.

Commuters, staff stranded as students protest renaming of Polytechnic Ibadan

DAILY POST reports that hundreds of commuters plying the ever busy Sango-Eleyele Road in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, were on Tuesday stranded as a result of a protest embarked upon by students of the Polytechnic Ibadan.

Our correspondent reports that the students in the early hours blocked the entrance gates of the institution.

They also blocked the ever busy Sango-Eleyele Road.

This made many commuters, residents and travellers plying the road to be stranded.

DAILY POST gathered that some staff of the institution were also stranded due to the fact that the majority of them were unable to gain access to the institution on that day.

Renaming would erase its identity, legacy – Students kick

The Students Union Government (SUG) in a release signed by its President, Olamide Oladipupo described the decision as “unjustifiable and degrading”.

Oladipupo in the statement obtained by DAILY POST on Tuesday said that for over 50 years, the institution has been a beacon of academic excellence, producing outstanding graduates who have made significant contributions to society.

He added that the name “The Polytechnic Ibadan” is synonymous with quality education and has earned respect and recognition nationwide.

Oladipupo, while speaking further, said that renaming the institution would erase its identity and legacy, causing irreparable harm to its reputation and alumni.

He then advised the governor to reconsider his decision and allow the institution to retain its original name.

“We, the Students’ Union Government of The Polytechnic Ibadan, are writing to express our utmost disapproval and disappointment at the recent decision to rename our institution.

“We strongly believe that this decision is unjustifiable and disregards the rich heritage and history of our beloved school.

“For over 50 years, The Polytechnic Ibadan has been a beacon of academic excellence, producing outstanding graduates who have made significant contributions to society.

“The name “The Polytechnic Ibadan” is synonymous with quality education and has earned respect and recognition nationwide. Renaming the institution would erase its identity and legacy, causing irreparable harm to its reputation and alumni.

“We urge you to reconsider this decision and allow our school to retain its original name, which reflects its history, values, and mission.

“We are willing to engage in dialogue to find alternative solutions that benefit the institution. We request an immediate reversal of this decision and look forward to a prompt response,” he said.

Renaming a mere symbolic gesture, real progress requires concrete commitment – CDWR tells Makinde

The Campaign for Democratic and Workers’ Rights (CDWR), has described the action as a mere symbolism.

CDWR noted that it will amount to nothing if it is not followed by genuine efforts towards the real and transformative development of the institution.

CDWR in a statement, noted that the renaming of the institution on its own does not address the deep-seated problems that confront both students and workers of the institution.

Oyo State Coordinator of CDWR, Abiodun Bamigboye, in a statement made available to DAILY POST, called on the Makinde-led administration to go beyond mere symbolism.

Bamigboye advised the governor to commit to a concrete, transparent, and comprehensive development agenda for the institution.

“The Campaign for Democratic and Workers’ Rights (CDWR), Oyo State Chapter, sees the renaming of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, to Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan, by Governor Seyi Makinde as mere symbolism.

“While we recognize this move as a tribute to the late Dr. Omololu Olunloyo, a former governor of Oyo State and the pioneer rector of the institution, we must stress that such an act, will amount to nothing if it is not followed by genuine efforts towards the real and transformative development of the institution.

“The renaming of the Polytechnic, on its own, does not address the deep-seated problems that confront both students and workers of the institution. In other words, what is urgently needed at the Polytechnic is not a change of name, but a fundamental transformation rooted in adequate public funding, a comprehensive renewal of infrastructure, improved welfare conditions for staff and students, democratic governance, and the provision of a supportive learning environment for students. Without these concrete steps, the renaming exercise is an empty ritual.

“In this regard, we call on the Governor Seyi Makinde-led administration to go beyond mere symbolism and seriously commit to a concrete, transparent, and comprehensive development agenda for the Polytechnic.

“Such a plan must include adequate financial provision for the rehabilitation of many dilapidated structures across the institution, the acquisition of up-to-date equipment, and a general upgrade of teaching and learning facilities.

“Equally important is the need to improve the welfare conditions of both academic and non-academic staff through better remuneration, job security, and regular opportunities for training and professional development.

“For students, the government must make the provision for bursaries and scholarships, while also ensuring a drastic reduction in school fees in order to make education more accessible to children of workers and poor families across the state.

“We also call for an enthronement of the principle of democratic governance in the polytechnic. The resources and decision-making structures of the institution must be subjected to the control and oversight of elected representatives of workers and students.

“This is in contrast to the current bureaucratic and top-down structure, in which critical functions of the institution, including financial management, are placed under the control of an external consultancy firm known as Platinum. This arrangement not only undermines transparency and accountability but is also alien to the provisions of the Polytechnic Act.

“Alongside the above, the CDWR expresses deep concerns at the continued existence and expansion of anti-labour practices in the Polytechnic, most notably the casualization of labour.

“It is disheartening to learn that more than 80% of the institution’s workforce, comprising both academic and non-academic staff, are employed as casual workers, under exploitative conditions and with poor pay.

“Rather than taking steps to regularize the employment status of these workers, the current administration, under the leadership of Dr. Taiwo Lasisi, appears more interested in suppressing the efforts of trade unions to organize and resist these unjust policies.

“This is exemplified by the recent interference in the internal affairs of the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU).

“We have it on credible authority that the union’s scheduled branch election was postponed after it became clear that individuals loyal to the administration had been mobilized to incite violence and disrupt the process.

“The aim was to prevent the emergence of radical and principled candidates who are committed to challenging the administration’s anti-labour practices.

“Even more troubling is the information that some of these candidates were allegedly set up and arrested at the behest of the Polytechnic’s management.

“These actions represent not only a brazen assault on the fundamental rights of workers but also a dangerous erosion of democratic norms within an institution that should stand as a bastion of intellectual freedom and civil liberties.

“We strongly condemn these actions and demand that the administration immediately ceases all forms of intimidation, repression, and interference in union activities.

“Institutions of higher learning must be a model of respect for workers’ rights and uphold the principles of freedom of association, collective bargaining, and democratic expression.

“Finally, we would like to reiterate that renaming of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, will only be meaningful if it is backed by sustained, honest, and transparent efforts to improve the institution’s funding, infrastructure, governance, and the general well-being of its students and staff.

“What is required now is not ceremonial or cosmetic change, but a deep and practical transformation that will have a tangible impact on the lives of all members of the polytechnic community. Without such an action, the renaming exercise will remain a hollow symbolic gesture, disconnected from the urgent realities on the ground,” the group stated.

Do not be deceived by political jobbers, rescind your decision – Ex- CCII President -General tells Makinde

A former President-General of Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Chief Adeyemi Soladoye has also advised Makinde to rescind his decision.

Soladoye, who is also an alumnus of the institution, advised Makinde not to be deceived by those whom he called political jobbers.

Soladoye in a statement obtained by DAILY POST noted that Makinde should remember that power is transient.

He said that the governor should allow the institution to retain its name.

Soladoye, who was the CCII President-General between 2017 and 2021, noted that many people were already bittered by some of the decisions of the governor since he came to power.

He said, “At different fora, I had commended H.E. Engr. Seyi Makinde for the giant Infrastructural strides he has made as a Governor, his adroitness as a politician and his exemplary patriotism as an Ibadan Son.

“I personally cannot thank him enough for finally fulfilling the promise he made to Ibadan people on 1st Feb. 2019 (before he became the Governor) that if he became the Governor, he would complete the Olubadan Palace started by Gov. Abiola Ajimobi in 2014 on parcels of Land granted the CCII by Gov. Kolapo Ishola in 1993 and extended by Gov. Rashidi Ladoja in 2003. One cannot also forget your upgrading of our Local Airport to an International one.

“I will enter this appeal by reminding Your Excellency that The Polytechnic Ibadan was established in 1972 for Western State as an upgrade from a Technical College, and earlier served as the Temporary Site of the University of Ife.

“At the time of its founding, the vision therefore was not just for Ibadan, it was for the old Western Region and it has remained so during the tenure of about 20 Military and Civilian Governors that have ruled the Western State, old Oyo State and current Oyo State before Your Excellency.

“We cannot therefore say that these Governors were ungrateful to H.E. Dr. Omololu Olunloyo or that the Ibadan amongst them did not know Dr. Olunloyo enough for his brilliancy and contributions to Ibadanland, Oyo State and Nigeria.

“In over 50 years, The Polytechnic Ibadan, has become an Institution of Continental recognition that it will be a dis-service to the entire Yoruba race if such an Octopus is now downgraded to Institution of Individual Status, African Champions like Chief Segun Odegbami (among many others) carry the Certificate of that Institution in his days as African Champion in Footballing.

“The Polytechnic Ibadan is a Legacy of the entire Western Region and your Excellency should consider millions of Nigerians whose sentimental attachment to “The Polytechnic Ibadan” will be lost as a result of this action.

“Even the unnecessary cost of changing the records and documents of the Institution at this moment that Your Excellency is aware of the hunger level on the Land calls for a proper re-think of this action.

“It was alleged that this honour done to H.E. Dr. Olunloyo is in recognition of his being the first Principal of The Polytechnic Ibadan and I still say that be it on logic or facts, this still falls flat like a pack of cards on proper analysis.

“Your Excellency, being an ex-Akokite, you know that it is only a Hall of Residence – Eni Njoku Hall– that was named after the 1st Vice-Chancellor of Unilag and also at the University of Ibadan, it was only a Hall of Residence – Mellanby Hall – that was named after the 1st Principal of U.I.

“Perhaps, I must let Your Excellency know that Ibadan is not in short supply of both Legendary and Contemporary Achievers quite worthy of being immortalised. Balogun Oderinlo in 1840 saved the entire Yoruba race from being over-run by the Fulani, Chief Akinloye and four (4) others saved the old Western Region from having a non-Yoruba man as its First Premier in 1951. The List is Endless.

“Recalling the fact that a centrally-located Park and Garden right at the Gateway of our local Airport now being upgraded to International Level by Your Excellency is also being named after the same Dr. Omololu Olunloyo, one would be right to consider this renaming an overkill for only one person considering the number of patriotic and prominent Indigenes that God has given to Ibadanland.

“Your Excellency, please do not be deceived by the Political Jobbers who will spur you to maintain this one day obstinacy as against the life-time honour and respect that will follow your name, knowing fully well that this power is transient both in tenure and in living.

“Nigerians begged President Goodluck Jonathan to rescind his decision to rename our University of Lagos after Bashorun MKO Abiola and he listened.

“Ibadan begged President Muhamadu Buhari to give Ibadan the opportunity to make an Ibadan Man the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan after 73 years of its existence on our Land, he agreed.

“Ibadan people begged H.E. Chief Rashidi Ladoja to accept the new Crown which you earlier approved for his colleagues in the Olubadan in Council and he also agreed.

“It will therefore not be something new if in your exalted position, you consider the wider and long term implication of maintaining the name change.

“To be sincere with Your Excellency, many people are sad about the loss of Agodi Gardens, the extent of Land acquired for the Circular Road, the massive Ilu Tuntun Land in Akinyele, the Premier Hotel, the Agbowo Shopping Complex, the Dugbe Library (Future Generation) now turned a Shopping Complex (Today’s Consumption), etc. Our people are not convinced that the level of future Housing Deficit on Ibadanland is so huge as to warrant this massive land conversion and acquisition.

“As a Governor who is always pushed by Populist Ideology, please allow the People to win on ‘The Polytechnic Ibadan’ case, as it does not remove anything from you and it will serve as a palliative for the already built-up grievances on land matters”.

Polytechnic Ibadan: Makinde under fire as stakeholders hold views over name change