No going back on renaming of Ibadan Polytechnic – Oyo govt

By Adejayan Gbenga –

The Oyo State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to renaming Polytechnic Ibadan after the late former governor, Omololu Olunloyo, despite protests from students.

The Commissioner of Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, made this clear in an interview on Channels TV’s ‘The Morning Brief’ on Wednesday.

Students had protested on Tuesday, calling on Governor Seyi Makinde to reverse the renaming to preserve the institution’s original identity.

Oyelade questioned the rationale behind the protests, asking why there would be opposition to honoring a figure who made significant contributions to both academia and national service.

He described the protests as “miscarried and misplaced,” emphasizing that the renaming is a rightful tribute.

He noted that between 17 and 23 institutions across Nigeria have been renamed, making the government’s action consistent with national trends.

Oyelade highlighted Omololu Olunloyo’s legacy, recalling his appointment as the first director of the institution at age 45 in 1970.

He concluded by affirming the government’s stance: “We stand by that decision because it honors a worthy son of Oyo State.”