Protest Erupts at Polytechnic Ibadan Over Renaming, Commuters and Staff Stranded

Academic activities and traffic flow were disrupted on Tuesday as students of The Polytechnic Ibadan staged a protest against the recent renaming of the institution by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde.

The protest, which began in the early hours of the day, saw students blocking all access points to the school, including the main entrance and the busy Sango–Eleyele Road, a major route in the Oyo State capital. The action left hundreds of commuters, staff, and residents stranded for several hours.

Governor Makinde had announced plans to rename The Polytechnic Ibadan to Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan, in honour of Dr. Omololu Olunloyo, a former governor of old Oyo State who served briefly in 1983. The decision has since sparked mixed reactions, particularly among the institution’s students and alumni.

Eyewitnesses told reporters that many staff members were unable to gain entry into the campus due to the protest, while motorists and passengers were forced to seek alternative routes or wait in gridlock for hours.

Some students expressed their displeasure, stating that while they respect Dr. Olunloyo’s contributions, the institution’s legacy and identity should not be altered without wider consultation.

As of the time of filing this report, the protest remained peaceful, with no reports of violence or police intervention. However, there are growing calls for the state government to address the concerns raised by the students to avoid further escalation.

Efforts to reach the state’s Ministry of Education for comments have so far been unsuccessful.