NIGERIA: Ibadan Poly Students Protest Renaming of Institution, March to Oyo Secretariat

By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria 

The students of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, has on Tuesday staged a protest at the Oyo State Secretariat, Agodi, to express their opposition to the recent renaming of the institution by Governor Seyi Makinde.

The students, who had earlier shut down academic activities by closing the school gates and blocking the Sango–Eleyele road, marched to the Secretariat chanting, “OOPI we don’t want”, in reference to the new name, Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan (OOPI).

The protest was triggered by an announcement made by Governor Makinde during a commendation service for the late former Oyo State Governor, Dr. Victor Omololu Olunloyo.

At the event, the Governor stated that the institution would henceforth bear the name of the deceased leader in his honour.

However, the students argue that the decision undermines the history and identity of the institution.

Carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Our Name, Our Identity”, “Respect Our Legacy”, and “Say No to OOPI”, the students temporarily disrupted operations at the government complex.

In an earlier statement, the Student Union Government President, Comrade Oladipupo Olamide, described the renaming as “unjustifiable and degrading”, calling on the state government to reconsider the decision and consult relevant stakeholders.

The protest remained peaceful, with security personnel monitoring the situation to prevent escalation.

The Polytechnic, Ibadan, is one of Nigeria’s oldest and most respected polytechnic institutions, and many students and alumni have expressed concern that its legacy should be preserved.

As of the time of this report, no official response has been issued by the Oyo State Government regarding the students’ demands.