The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has announced its decision to rename the University of Abuja in honor of former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, as part of celebrations for his 90th birthday.
The institution will now bear the name Yakubu Gowon University, pending approval by the National Assembly.
The decision, announced on Monday, has ignited widespread debate across the country. Minister of Information and National Orientation, Muhammed Idris, clarified that the renaming is not yet finalized, stating, “While the decision has been made by FEC, it still needs to be approved by the National Assembly.”
Critics argue that renaming institutions with historical significance disrupts their identity and diminishes their cultural legacy. A similar move in 2012, when former President Goodluck Jonathan proposed renaming the University of Lagos (UNILAG) to Moshood Abiola University, led to nationwide protests. Students shut down major roads, including Lagos’ Third Mainland Bridge, expressing their dissatisfaction.
Obi Nwakanma, a writer and critic, condemned the UNILAG renaming at the time, describing it as “a myopic action.” He added, “Since 1999, the government has engaged in the project of revisionism. It renames, rebrands, and readjusts Nigeria’s national calendars to suit personal visions, irrespective of the Nigerian reality.”
Similarly, the renaming of the Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo (FUNAI) to Alex Ekwueme University in honor of the late Second Republic Vice President, Alex Ekwueme, also sparked opposition. While announced at Ekwueme’s funeral, local stakeholders expressed frustration over a lack of consultation, with some suggesting the renaming would have been more appropriate for institutions in Ekwueme’s home state of Anambra or Enugu.
The latest controversy surrounding the University of Abuja has drawn reactions from prominent voices, including former Senator Shehu Sani, who questioned the prioritization of a name change over more pressing issues. “After renaming the University of Abuja, FEC should spare time and visit that university and see how its facilities can be upgraded and provide them with enough gadgets to secure their vast undeveloped land mass,” Sani remarked.
Students and alumni of the University of Abuja have also expressed their concerns. Many fear the renaming will undermine the institution’s identity, particularly as it serves as a symbolic federal university representing the nation’s capital.
Civil rights activists have weighed in as well, emphasizing the need for broader consultations before such decisions are made. Legal expert Chief Afe Babalola, who previously proposed renaming the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) after former President Shehu Shagari, faced opposition from FUTA’s alumni and student bodies, who argued that name changes create identity crises for well-established institutions.
Despite the FEC’s intentions, critics insist that the government should prioritize improving infrastructure and educational resources over symbolic name changes. The proposed renaming of the University of Abuja remains uncertain as it awaits legislative approval, with many watching closely to see whether it will face the same backlash as previous renaming efforts.
