Students of The Polytechnic, Ibadan have categorically rejected the Oyo State Government’s decision to rename the institution after the late former governor and its first rector, Dr. Victor Omololu Olunloyo.
The renaming, which was announced by Governor Seyi Makinde during a commendation service in honour of the late statesman, has sparked widespread discontent among the student body.
In a strongly worded statement released Thursday evening, the Student Union Government (SUG), led by President Comrade Oladipupo Olamide, condemned the decision as “unjustifiable” and “a threat to the institution’s heritage and academic identity.”
The statement reads in part:
> “We, the Students’ Union Government of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, register our profound disapproval and disappointment over the recent renaming of our institution. This decision undermines the historical legacy and academic prestige built over more than five decades.
‘The Polytechnic Ibadan’ is a name that carries national recognition and is deeply woven into the fabric of our academic tradition. Changing it not only disregards the sentiments of the students and alumni but also risks diminishing the institutional identity we have long upheld with pride.”
The SUG further appealed to the state government to reverse the decision without delay, noting their willingness to engage in constructive dialogue to explore alternative ways to honour the late Olunloyo without altering the school’s identity.
The students concluded by demanding an immediate reversal and urged the state authorities to prioritise the institution’s legacy and stakeholder sentiments.
