Alumni Association of The Polytechnic, Ibadan has appealed to Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde to have a re-think over naming the institution after the late Dr Omololu Olunloyo.
The Alumni Association made the appeal in letter to the governor, titled “Passionate Appeal To Your Excellency To Have A Re-think On The Renaming of The Polytechnic, Ibadan,” dated 27 June, 2025.
Copied in the letter signed by the acting National President, Professor Akinloye Lawal, were the Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Secretary to the State Government and the Head of Service.
Also copied were the state Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Alaafin of Oyo, Olubadan of Ibadanland, Iba of Kisi, Ooni of Ife and the Media.
There has been an outcry, including protest by students of the institution, against the decision of Governor Makinde to rename The Polytechnic, Ibadan after the late Olunloyo, the first Principal of the institution.
The Alumni Association reminded Governor Makinde that the institution was established in 1970 for the then Western Region as an upgrade and merger of The Western Nigeria Technical College, based at the South Campus and the Western Nigeria College of Arts and Culture, based in the North Campus.
The association added that the North Campus had earlier served as the temporary site and took off campus of the then University of Ife.
“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.
“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.
“In over 50 years, The Polytechnic, Ibadan has become truly a world-class institution with recognition worldwide.
“The Polytechnic, Ibadan, needs no introduction in the comity of the academic world.
“Your Excellency, sir, the whole academic world is computerised and thrive on interconnectivity.
“Your Excellency, sir, it will be a dis-service to the entire Yoruba race if such an Octopus institution is renamed and will start battling for recognition in the comity of tertiary institutions.
“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.
“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.
“Even the unnecessary cost of changing the records and documents of the institution will be enormous at this moment of economic downturns,” the Alumni Association stated in the letter.
The association also averred that the honour bestowed on the late Dr Olunloyo by renaming The Polytechnic, Ibadan after him, being its first Principal for a period of less than six months, should be based on logical facts and proper analysis, and not emotional.
“We acknowledged the contributions of Dr. Olunloyo to The Polytechnic, Ibadan (TPI), but we cherished the brand name of the institution that has stood the test of time.
“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 first Vice-Chancellor of UNILAG.
“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.
“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.
“We implore Your Excellency to please find something new within or outside The Polytechnic, Ibadan to name after H.E. Dr Omololu Olunloyo.
“This one will just downgrade the status of this institution of international repute that is very dear to the hearts of most of us who were opportune to have passed throughout the it,” it was stated in the letter.
The alumni association reminded Governor Makinde that Nigerians appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to rescind his decision to rename the University of Lagos after the late Chief MKO Abiola, and he listened.
“Ibadans appealed to President Muhamadu Buhari to give an Ibadanman the opportunity to be the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan after 73 years of its existence on our land, he agreed.
“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 will, therefore, not be something new if, in your exalted position, you consider the wider and long-term implication of the name change.
“Kindly recall, sir, that when the name of the famous Ibadan Boys High School was to be changed to Timothy Oyesina Boys High School, it was the Old Students Association under the respected Chief Bode Amoo that appealed to the government not to tamper with the brand name.
“The government obliged and named a hall after the individual. The government lost nothing by this gesture.
“We appeal to your Excellency to treat the issue of TPI in the same manner. This kind gesture will not diminish the status of your Excellency nor that of your administration.
“Your Excellency, kindly hearken to our passionate and clarion call,” the Alumni Association of The Polytechnic, Ibadan submitted in the letter.
