Chaos erupted along the Sango-Eleyele Road in Ibadan on Tuesday morning, July 1, 2025, as students of The Polytechnic Ibadan staged a mass protest over the state government’s decision to rename the institution. Hundreds of commuters, residents, and staff members were left stranded for hours as the students blocked all major entrances and key road networks.
Governor Seyi Makinde’s recent announcement to rename the institution as Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan, has sparked outrage across campus and the wider student community. Olunloyo, a former governor who served the old Oyo State between October and December 1983, was described by the state government as a historic figure deserving of the honor, but students insist the change is unacceptable.
By 7:00 am, angry students had locked all entrance gates into the school premises, chanting anti-government slogans and holding placards with inscriptions like “Our Name, Our Identity,” and “We Say No to Political Name Change.” The protest quickly spilled onto the Sango-Eleyele Road, causing gridlock and forcing commercial drivers and private motorists to abandon their journeys.
Several academic and non-academic staff members of the Polytechnic were also caught in the unrest, unable to access the school premises for official duties. Many expressed frustration, calling for urgent dialogue between the government and student leaders to prevent further escalation.
Eyewitnesses reported that security operatives were deployed to the area by mid-morning to prevent the situation from turning violent. However, as of press time, the protest remained peaceful but tense, with heavy traffic stretching several kilometers along adjoining routes.
Students argue that the institution’s name, established since 1970, carries a legacy that should not be tampered with for political reasons. They are calling on Governor Makinde to reverse the decision immediately or face continuous protests in the coming days.
The Oyo State Government has yet to issue an official response to the demonstration, but sources within the Government House suggest that consultations with key stakeholders are underway to address the rising tension.
