Hundreds of commuters and staff were stranded on Tuesday morning along the busy Sango-Eleyele Road in Ibadan, Oyo State, due to a protest by students of the Polytechnic Ibadan.
The protest was triggered by Governor Seyi Makinde’s recent announcement to rename the institution to Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan. Olunloyo was the first Ibadan indigene to serve as governor of the old Oyo State, holding office briefly from October to December 1983.
In response to the renaming plan, students blocked the entrance gates of the polytechnic early Tuesday and also barricaded the Sango-Eleyele Road, causing heavy traffic gridlock.
Many commuters, residents, and travelers found themselves trapped in the traffic, while several staff members were unable to enter the institution due to the blockade.
The protest highlights rising tensions among students who oppose the renaming, which they say affects the identity and legacy of the Polytechnic Ibadan. Authorities have yet to respond to the situation as efforts to restore normalcy continue.
