KEY POINTS
- FG renames University of Abuja after Yakubu Gowon.
- The name change is in honour of Gen Yakubu Gowon, former Nigeria Head of State.
- A name change must still be approved by the National Assembly for it to stick.
Nigeria’s former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, will be honoured with the renaming of the University of Abuja to Yakubu Gowon University, Council says.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohamed Idris made the announcement after the last 2024 FEC meeting held at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja. The change is part of efforts to acknowledge and recognise elder statesmen for Nigeria’s national development.
This will now be called Yakubu Gowon University, according to Idris. But of course, the process will have to go the National Assembly to do all the legislative work in that direction; but we have gotten a decision from FEC to write the National Assembly to change the name of the University of Abuja.”
After that the new name will be fully adopted and requires legislative approval from the National Assembly. The decision was a pointer to the federal government’s determination to immortalise people who have contributed to the growth of Nigeria.
Who is Yakubu Gowon?
From 1966 to 1975, Nigeria was headed by General Yakubu Gowon. Biafra war, from 1967 till 1970 to the civil war and his efforts to keep Nigeria united made him popular. Gowon is considered a national cohesion symbol, his administration is credited with the post war ‘No victor, no vanquished’ policy that helped the nation to reconcile.
Gowon is one of the biggest names in Nigeria’s history, due to his contributions to education and nation building. Renaming the University of Abuja after him is part of an appreciation of his enduring legacy.
What’s next for the name change
The Federal Executive Council has approved the renaming so long as it required it to be formalized via legislative backing. The university’s official name change will be endorsed by the National Assembly after a proposal is sent by the council. However, the name of the institution will become Yakubu Gowon University, after it has been approved.
The renaming will be finalized early 2025 once the legislative process is completed. It is part of a wider effort to acknowledge and pay tribute to Nigeria’s elder statesmen for their service to Nigeria.
Also, the Federal Executive Council says it will go on recess effective December 18, 2024 to January 6, 2025.
