A tense demonstration at Ibadan Polytechnic has forced a temporary suspension of academic operations, as students rally against the institution’s proposed name change. The board recently approved renaming the school after a former governor, sparking outrage among the student body.
Protesters, citing a lack of consultation, barricaded the main entrance and brought lectures and exams to a standstill. “We were not involved in this decision. We didn’t ask for our school to be renamed,” declared one protest leader.
The student union and concerned stakeholders accuse the governing council of sidelining them in the decision-making process. They argue that preserving the institution’s original name is critical to maintaining its identity and heritage.
School authorities have scheduled an emergency meeting with student representatives, staff, alumni, and the council. They aim to explore alternatives, including retaining the current name or adopting a hybrid name that recognises both the institution’s legacy and the honoured governor.
In the meantime, academic activities remain suspended, and management has assured transparent dialogue. Both students and authorities are calling for patience as meetings get underway and consensus-building efforts begin.
