The National Executive Council of The Polytechnic, Ibadan Alumni Association, has appealed to Governor Seyi Makinde, urging him to reconsider the decision to rename the institution after late Governor Omololu Olunloyo.
Established in 1970, The Polytechnic, Ibadan has been a cornerstone of education in the Western Region, merging two significant institutions to become a world-class educational establishment.
In a statement issued by the Acting National President of the association, Prof. Akinloye Lawal, the alumni emphasised the importance of the institution’s name, arguing that altering it would undermine its legacy and recognition both nationally and internationally.
“The Polytechnic, Ibadan needs no introduction in the comity of the academic world. It will be a disservice to the entire Yoruba race if such an octopus institution is renamed.”
The alumni noted that the name, “The Polytechnic, Ibadan” is not only a brand but also a symbol of pride for many Nigerians.
“Even the unnecessary cost of changing the records and documents of the institution will be enormous at this moment of economic downturns.”
The letter addressed to the governor highlighted the potential challenges that current and former students could face regarding certificate verifications and alumni recognition if the renaming proceeds.
“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 alumni suggested that honouring former principal, Dr. Omololu Olunloyo could be achieved through the naming of specific facilities, rather than changing the institution’s name itself.
“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.”
They drew parallels to past appeals made to national leaders, such as the successful request to former President Goodluck Jonathan to reverse a similar decision regarding the University of Lagos.
“Nigerians appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to rescind his decision to rename the University of Lagos after Bashorun MKO Abiola, and he listened.”
They, however, urged the governor to consider the long-term implications of the name change and to find an alternative that honours Dr. Olunloyo without compromising the institution’s esteemed reputation.
“This will, therefore, not be something new if, in your exalted position, you consider the wider and long-term implication of the name change.”
The alumni suggested that honouring former principal, Dr. Omololu Olunloyo could be achieved through the naming of specific facilities, rather than changing the institution’s name itself.
“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.”
They drew parallels to past appeals made to national leaders, such as the successful request to former President Goodluck Jonathan to reverse a similar decision regarding the University of Lagos.
“Nigerians appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to rescind his decision to rename the University of Lagos after Bashorun MKO Abiola, and he listened.”
They, however, urged the governor to consider the long-term implications of the name change and to find an alternative that honours Dr. Olunloyo without compromising the institution’s esteemed reputation.
“This will, therefore, not be something new if, in your exalted position, you consider the wider and long-term implication of the name change.” It stated
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