Outrage as students reject renaming of UniAbuja after Yakubu Gowon

Students of the University of Abuja have vehemently opposed the Federal Government’s decision to rename their institution after former military leader Yakubu Gowon. The announcement, approved by the Federal Executive Council on Monday, December 16, has sparked widespread protests. Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, disclosed the council’s resolution following its final 2024 meeting at Aso Rock Villa. However, students and alumni immediately reacted with anger. On Thursday, December 19, students rallied at the university’s main gate, holding placards with messages such as “The voice of men is the voice of God,” “We stand for UniAbuja,” and “Solve hunger problems, not renaming UniAbuja.” Comrade Nkem Silas, President of the Students Union Government (SUG), urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reconsider the decision. “Renaming the university can have psychological effects on students. We will formally express our concerns to the Federal Ministry of Education through the Vice Chancellor,” Silas said. Prof Jeremiah Vambe, an alumnus and lecturer in the Department of Public Administration, also criticised the move. “Renaming the university involves economic, legal, and psychological costs. The law establishing the University of Abuja must be amended to accommodate this change,” Vambe explained. Comrade Adamu Abdulbasit, President of the Abuja Indigenous Students Association (AISA), proposed an alternative. “Instead of renaming UniAbuja, the Federal Government should complete the abandoned University of Science & Technology in Abaji and name it after Ladi Kwali University, Abuja,” Abdulbasit suggested. The protests highlight the growing discontent among students and stakeholders, who see the renaming as threatening the university’s identity and legacy. Calls for a reversal are gaining momentum as the controversy unfolds.