In a move that sparked debate, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) decided on Monday to rename the University of Abuja in recognition of General Yakubu Gowon’s 90th birthday.
The university will now be known as Yakubu Gowon University, a move that has generated significant debate.
Following the announcement, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Muhammed Idris, clarified that while the decision has been made by FEC, it still needs to be approved by the National Assembly.
However, such government decisions often face resistance, with critics arguing that renaming institutions disrupts their historical and cultural significance.
This is not the first time renaming a university has sparked backlash.
In 2012, the proposed renaming of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) by President Goodluck Jonathan to Moshood Abiola University was met with widespread protests from students, who took to the streets, including a demonstration that shut down the Third Mainland Bridge.
Critics, such as Obi Nwakanma, described the move as short-sighted and a symptom of a larger pattern of revisionist politics under the ruling party at the time.
Nwakanma said, “It is myopic action. And I think it is time to test the limits of executive authority in the courts over this act by President Goodluck Jonathan. Since 1999 the PDP government in Nigeria has engaged in the project of revisionism. It renames, r brands, and readjusts Nigeria’s national calendars to suit the limited and personal visions of the PDP and its interests irrespective of the Nigerian reality, starting with the day May 29 as Democracy Day.
“The president’s request is coming on the heels of on-going outcry and protests over the renaming of UNILAG, after the late politician and business mogul, MKO Abiola.”
Similarly, the renaming of the Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo (FUNAI) in Ebonyi State to Alex Ekwueme University in honor of the late Second Republic Vice President, Alex Ekwueme, also triggered debates.
While Vice President Yemi Osinbajo announced the renaming at Ekwueme’s funeral, some local stakeholders, including the Public Relations Officer of FUNAI, Ikechukwu Ubochi, expressed frustration at not being officially informed about the change.
Others, such as civil rights activist Hycinth Achoja, argued that the renaming could have been better suited to a more prominent institution in Ekwueme’s home state of Anambra or Enugu.
In Akure, the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) has faced its own debate over renaming. Legal expert Chief Afe Babalola proposed renaming the university after the late President Shehu Shagari in recognition of his contributions to Nigeria.
However, according to Daily Trust, the suggestion was met with strong opposition from FUTA’s Alumni Association and Student Union Government (SUG), who argued that changing the name would create an identity crisis for the well-established institution.
The latest controversy centers around the renaming of the University of Abuja. Though the decision is still pending legislative approval, it has raised concerns among students and alumni.
Critics, including former Senator Shehu Sani, suggested that the university would benefit more from infrastructure upgrades rather than a name change.
Sani said, “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.”
Students, particularly those from Abuja, also voiced their opposition, fearing the renaming could undermine the university’s identity and history.
Despite the controversies surrounding these renaming decisions, it remains uncertain whether the proposed renaming of the University of Abuja to Yakubu Gowon University will be approved or face similar opposition to previous instances such as UNILAG and FUTA.
