Ibadan Poly Alumni Urge Governor Makinde to Reconsider Renaming Institution After Olunloyo
Alumni of The Polytechnic, Ibadan urge Governor Makinde to reverse decision to rename the school.
They warn of identity loss, global confusion, and high costs tied to the proposed change.
The Alumni Association of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, has issued a passionate appeal to Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, urging him to reverse his recent decision to rename the institution after the late former Governor, Dr. Omololu Olunloyo.
The call for reversal was made in a statement released on Tuesday by the Acting National President of the association, Akinloye Lawal, who spoke from the state capital, Ibadan.
Governor Makinde had, during a commendation service in honor of Olunloyo, announced that The Polytechnic, Ibadan would be renamed after the late elder statesman. The announcement sparked widespread debate and criticism, particularly from former students and education stakeholders.
According to Lawal, The Polytechnic, Ibadan is a globally recognized academic brand that has, over the past five decades, built a solid reputation for excellence. He warned that changing the name could compromise its institutional identity and create unnecessary confusion in both local and international academic circles.
“The Polytechnic, Ibadan has become a world-class institution, well-recognized across the globe. Renaming it at this point would amount to a disservice, not just to Oyo State, but to the entire Yoruba race,” Lawal stated.
He argued that the name change would have far-reaching implications, particularly for alumni who may face difficulties verifying their academic credentials abroad due to discrepancies in institutional naming.
“The identity of the institution is not just in its buildings or location, but in its name a name that holds sentimental value for millions of Nigerians and commands respect in academic circles worldwide,” he added.
The alumni association also raised concerns about the financial burden the name change would place on the institution. Lawal emphasized that altering records, official documents, certificates, and signage would be an expensive undertaking, especially amid Nigeria’s current economic challenges.
“If this move is intended to honor Dr. Olunloyo for his brief role as the first Principal of the Polytechnic, then alternative forms of recognition should be considered. Emotional sentiments should not override logical analysis and historical precedence,” he said.
To support their position, the alumni pointed to examples from other prestigious Nigerian universities. At the University of Lagos, the first Vice-Chancellor, Eni Njoku, was honored by naming a hall of residence after him not the institution itself. Similarly, at the University of Ibadan, the first Principal, Kenneth Mellanby, was immortalized through Mellanby Hall.
“We believe a more fitting and less disruptive way to honor Dr. Olunloyo would be to name a significant facility, such as the Faculty of Engineering or a hostel, after him. This would preserve the historical identity of the school while still recognizing his contributions,” the statement suggested.
The association also recalled how former President Goodluck Jonathan was persuaded by public outcry to abandon plans to rename the University of Lagos after the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola. Likewise, the Buhari administration, after appeals from Ibadan indigenes, allowed an Ibadan-born academic to become Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan after 73 years of the institution’s existence.
“In light of these examples, we are hopeful that Governor Makinde will listen to the collective voice of reason and act in the best interest of the institution, its alumni, and its current students,” the statement concluded.
On behalf of all past and present students, the National Executive Council of The Polytechnic, Ibadan Alumni Association appealed to Governor Makinde to preserve the identity of the institution and find another meaningful way to honor Dr. Olunloyo.
