Academic and administrative activities at the main campus of the Victor Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan, formerly The Polytechnic, Ibadan, were on Monday disrupted following a peaceful protest by students opposing the recent renaming of the institution.
The protest, which grounded operations on campus, was triggered by the decision of Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, to rename the polytechnic in honour of Dr. Victor Omololu Olunloyo, a former commissioner in the old Western Region, who was the first and pioneer rector of the institution.
Governor Makinde had announced the renaming of the polytechnic last Saturday, citing Olunloyo’s immense contributions to the development of education in the state and Nigeria at large.
However, the decision has culminated into controversy across various quarters. While some have applauded the governor’s gesture as a deserving recognition of a distinguished public servant, others, including sections of the alumni and student leadership, have strongly opposed the move.
The disagreement reached a boiling point on Monday as protesting students locked the South and North campus gates, effectively shutting down entry and exit.
The blockade left commuters and motorists stranded, with many forced to trek long distances to continue their journeys.
Sources told newsmen that the protest was triggered by a perceived lack of consultation and disregard for students’ and alumni’s sentiments regarding the institution’s identity and heritage.
Chanting solidarity songs, the students vowed that academic and other activities would remain on hold until Governor Makinde reverses the renaming decision.
“We are not against honouring great men, but it should not be at the expense of our institution’s identity and the will of the people,” one protesting student said.
However, as of the time of filing this report, no government official had addressed the protesting students, and normalcy was yet to return to the campus.
Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA) have deployed its personnel to the area to ensure free flow of human and vehicular traffic along the Sango-Eleyele road.