Controversy has engulfed Oyo State following Governor Seyi Makinde’s decision to rename The Polytechnic, Ibadan, in honour of its pioneer rector, the late Dr. Omololu Olunloyo. The announcement, made during a June 20 interdenominational service commemorating the late statesman, was intended as a tribute to his immense contributions to education and governance in the state. However, rather than being embraced as a noble gesture, the renaming has provoked widespread backlash from students, staff, alumni, and other critical stakeholders.

An Ill-Timed and Ill-Conceived Move

While Governor Makinde may have acted out of a desire to honour a revered figure, the decision has struck many as hasty and politically tone-deaf. Founded in 1970 as a successor to the former Technical College, Ibadan, The Polytechnic, Ibadan was designed to provide higher education and technical skills training for young Nigerians. Over the past five decades, it has grown into an academic institution with a storied legacy, a deeply rooted identity, and a name that commands respect nationwide.

That legacy, critics argue, should not be undone by the stroke of a pen—especially not as a political statement cloaked in goodwill.

This is not Governor Makinde’s first attempt to immortalize prominent Oyo State figures through institutional renaming. He had earlier signed legislation converting The Oke Ogun Polytechnic, Saki, into Michael Koleosho Polytechnic, Saki. Yet these decisions increasingly appear arbitrary, driven more by optics than substance.

Institutions Are Not Political Trophies

Critics say renaming long-standing public institutions to honour individuals, however meritorious their contributions, ignores the deeper purpose these schools serve. Tertiary institutions are not just buildings or government assets; they are intellectual landmarks, social symbols, and repositories of generational pride. By renaming The Polytechnic, Ibadan, the governor is not merely changing a signpost—he is attempting to overwrite an identity cultivated for over 50 years.

Historically, such actions have backfired. In 2012, then-President Goodluck Jonathan faced fierce resistance when he renamed the University of Lagos to Moshood Abiola University without prior consultation. Students and alumni launched protests, court actions, and media campaigns against the move. Eventually, the Federal Government rescinded the decision in 2013 after acknowledging the overwhelming dissent.

The case of the University of Ife, renamed Obafemi Awolowo University in 1987 by former military ruler General Ibrahim Babangida, also underscores how deeply entrenched institutional identities are. Despite the official name change, the moniker “Great Ife” remains a proud badge of identity for its alumni and students.

Stakeholders Reject the Name Change

The reaction from The Polytechnic, Ibadan community has been swift and unified. The Students’ Union Government (SUG) petitioned the Oyo State House of Assembly to reject the name change, describing it as “unjustifiable” and a “threat to the identity and legacy” of the institution. Students also staged protests to express their disapproval.

Likewise, the Chairman of the Non-Academic Staff Union, Mr. Yomi Akande, joined a coalition of concerned stakeholders to issue a public condemnation. They described the move as “bereft of consultation”, “tone-deaf,” and a decision that completely disregards the sentiments of those most connected to the school.

Their argument is simple but powerful: The Polytechnic, Ibadan is more than a name. It is a brand, an identity, and a testament to the dreams of generations of Nigerians who have walked its halls. Changing its name for political expediency undermines its institutional soul.

Alternative Ways to Honour Olunloyo

Even among critics, there is broad agreement that the late Dr. Omololu Olunloyo deserves recognition for his contributions. However, immortalising him through the renaming of such a high-profile institution is viewed as an ill-suited strategy.

If Governor Makinde genuinely seeks to honour Olunloyo, several alternatives exist that would achieve this goal without erasing the legacy of The Polytechnic, Ibadan. For instance:

• A new state university, science and technology institute, or research centre could be named after him.

• The state could dedicate a central lecture hall, building, or administrative block within the Polytechnic to his memory.

• Alternatively, the government could launch a scholarship scheme or academic research fund in his name.

These options not only respect the memory of Dr. Olunloyo but also preserve the original identity and pride attached to the institution.

Institutions Must Be Preserved, Not Rebranded

Academic institutions carry with them decades of tradition, alumni achievements, cultural memory, and intellectual reputation. When renamed without adequate stakeholder consultation, these efforts risk being undone or disregarded.

Governments must tread carefully in their efforts to honour past heroes. In countries that value heritage and educational legacy, such institutions are preserved meticulously. Think of Harvard, Oxford, or the Sorbonne—names that have withstood centuries and continue to symbolize excellence. These institutions weren’t renamed to honour even their most influential presidents or chancellors because the institution’s legacy was deemed more valuable than individual recognition.

By unilaterally renaming The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Governor Makinde not only invites unnecessary controversy but also risks alienating those whose loyalty and identity are tied to the institution. The school represents a unique part of Ibadan’s educational history—a legacy that deserves to remain untouched.

Final Thoughts

Governor Seyi Makinde still has the opportunity to correct course. While he has indicated a willingness to reconsider the decision if presented with compelling arguments, the ongoing protests, petitions, and public outcry should suffice as reason enough to pause and reflect.

Leaders must listen to the people. In a democracy, legacy-building should not come at the expense of institutional history. The name The Polytechnic, Ibadan, must endure—because it stands not just for one man’s legacy, but for the dreams and futures of countless Nigerians.