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Renaming The Polytechnic, Ibadan: Erasing 50 Years of Legacy for Political Optics
Earlier today, the announcement of a proposed renaming of The Polytechnic, Ibadan has sparked both applause and outrage. While those in favor view it as an act of honor — a symbolic gesture to immortalize a statesman — others see it as a shallow political move that threatens to erase a deeply rooted legacy over half a century in the making. The question must be asked: At what cost does a name change come?
A Name That Built Generations
Established in 1970, The Polytechnic, Ibadan is not just a school — it is a brand, an institution, a cultural anchor in Oyo State and across Nigeria. Over five decades, it has produced tens of thousands of graduates, many of whom are now national icons in engineering, business, broadcasting, politics, and academia.
The name “The Polytechnic, Ibadan” resonates across borders, job markets, and international communities. It is a badge of honor on CVs and a point of pride in alumni conversations. To abruptly change this name is not just to alter signage or stationery; it is to rewrite the personal and professional identities of an entire generation.
Institutional Memory and Identity Matter
Names are not neutral. They carry history, sacrifice, struggle, and success. They embody institutional memory. The Polytechnic, Ibadan’s name speaks to a time when Nigeria prioritized technical education, when Ibadan was emerging as a hub of academic excellence alongside the University of Ibadan.
A new name, regardless of who it honors, cannot inherit the sweat, blood, and milestones that shaped the institution. It will start afresh — at the cost of a well-earned legacy.
Political Timing and Motivations
Critics are right to question the motive and timing of the renaming. Why now? And why in such haste, without broad consultation with stakeholders, alumni, and staff? There’s a growing sense that such moves are more about political tribute and legacy-building for leaders than about the institution itself.
Is this about the future of the polytechnic or the ego of the political class?
The Danger of Erasing History
Across the world, institutions with centuries of legacy — from Oxford to Harvard to Yaba Tech — have retained their names, even while honoring notable individuals through buildings, endowments, or departments. There are many ways to honor a legacy without dismantling another.
Renaming the institution does not add value to its academic reputation. Instead, it risks alienating alumni, confusing future partners, and burying half a century of achievement under a fresh coat of politics.
A Call for Caution and Respect
This is not about sentiment — it is about stewardship. Those entrusted with leadership must preserve, not erase; elevate, not overwrite. The Polytechnic, Ibadan deserves investment, innovation, and reform — not a renaming that disrespects its lineage.
There is wisdom in preserving identity, even while creating space to celebrate new heroes.
The Polytechnic, Ibadan is more than a name. It is a legacy carved over 50 years by students, lecturers, artisans, and communities. Renaming it risks not just offending sentiment, but erasing an identity that generations have carried with pride. True honor lies in legacy protection — not replacement.