The renaming of The Polytechnic, Ibadan to Victor Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan continues to stir controversy, as the Alumni Association of the institution has formally appealed to Governor Seyi Makinde to reverse the decision.
In a letter obtained by the media, signed by Professor Akinloye Lawal, Acting National President of the Alumni Association, the body described the governor’s decision as one that risks eroding the institution’s legacy, complicating global recognition, and weakening the emotional and historical ties of millions of Nigerians to the Polytechnic.
“The Polytechnic, Ibadan is a brand name that should not be wished away. It is a legacy of the entire Western region, and Your Excellency should consider millions of Nigerians whose sentimental attachment to ‘The Polytechnic, Ibadan’ and the image as well as the brand name that will be lost as a result of this action,” the letter read.
Recalling the founding of the institution in 1970 from the merger of the Western Nigeria Technical College (South Campus) and the Western Nigeria College of Arts and Culture (North Campus), the alumni emphasised that the Polytechnic was never just for Ibadan, but for the entire Western Region.
“At the time of its founding, the vision then was not just for Ibadan. It was for the old Western Region, and the aim was to make it a world-class institution, and it has remained so during the tenure of about 20 Military and Civilian Governors and Administrators that had served the Western State, old Oyo State and current Oyo State before Your Excellency,” the letter stated.
They cautioned that the renaming could pose serious challenges to graduates worldwide, especially in areas of certificate verification, transcript processing, and institutional recognition.
“The whole academic world is computerised and thrives on interconnectivity… Old students in other tertiary institutions in Nigeria and abroad will definitely face daunting challenges on many fronts on verifications of certificates, transcripts, and allied requests all over the world.”
“Even the unnecessary cost of changing the records and documents of the institution will be enormous at this moment of economic downturns,” they added.
While the alumni acknowledged the historical role of Dr. Omololu Olunloyo, who briefly served as the Polytechnic’s first Principal, they stressed that the decision to rename the entire institution in his honour was misguided and potentially damaging.
“If this honour was done to H.E. Dr. Omololu Olunloyo in recognition of his being the first Principal of The Polytechnic, Ibadan for a period of less than six months… it should be based on logical facts and proper analysis, not emotional.”
Instead, the alumni proposed alternative ways of recognising Dr. Olunloyo’s contributions without altering the institution’s identity.
“Naming any of our hostels or even our famous Faculty of Engineering after Dr. Olunloyo is a good alternative that will not affect the brand name or image of TPI.”
They drew parallels with other respected institutions, pointing out that even at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and the University of Ibadan (UI), foundational leaders were honoured with halls, not renamings.
“Your Excellency, being an alumnus of the famous University of Lagos and an ‘Akokite,’ you know that it is only a Hall of Residence, Eni Njoku Hall, that was named after the 1st Vice-Chancellor of UNILAG; and also at the University of Ibadan, it was only a Hall of Residence, Mellanby Hall, that was named after the first Principal of University of Ibadan.”
The alumni also reminded the Governor of past instances where public appeals influenced government reversals, such as when President Goodluck Jonathan reversed the renaming of UNILAG in honour of M.K.O. Abiola after nationwide protests, and when the name change of Ibadan Boys High School was halted due to alumni intervention.
“We, the National Executive Council of The Polytechnic Ibadan Alumni Association, on behalf of all past and current students of this great institution appeal to Your Excellency to please, have a rethink on the issue of this change of name… This kind gesture will not diminish the status of Your Excellency nor that of your administration.”
This appeal comes on the heels of widespread student protests, which on Tuesday paralysed academic and administrative activities at the institution. Students locked the North and South gates, marched through Sango Junction, and stormed the Oyo State Secretariat, demanding the governor rescind the renaming.
As of press time, Governor Makinde is yet to respond officially to either the alumni letter or the students’ demonstration.
