The Federal Government has renamed the University of Abuja to Yakubu Gowon University in honour of Nigeria’s former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, who recently turned 90.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, announced the government decision during a press briefing at the State House on Monday.
The decision was made today at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, which President Bola Ahmed Tinubu presided over.
Idris said the proposal to change the university’s name will be formally sent to the National Assembly for legislative enactment.
The University of Abuja, also known as UNIABUJA, was established in January 1988 under Decree No. 110 of 1992 (as amended) by the then Nigerian strongman, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida.
The university had a dual mandate to run both conventional classes and distance learning programs.
Academic work began at the university in 1990 with the matriculation of its pioneer students.
General Yakubu Gowon’s Legacy
The renaming recognizes General Gowon’s contributions to Nigeria’s unity and development, reflecting the government’s commitment to honouring national icons.
He was Nigeria’s wartime leader from 1966 to 1975. He oversaw the brutal three-year Nigeria-Biafra civil war, introduced the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), and introduced the Naira as Nigeria’s currency.
His legacy is disputed between those who see him as a unifier, and sections of the country that consider him a genocidist.
The school’s renaming may generate mixed reactions among Nigerians. Some may perceive the President as signalling his commitment to the country’s unity, while others may feel it is intended to alienate further sections of the country still hurt by Nigeria’s bitter past.
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