Abuja, Nigeria – The recent decision by the Federal Executive Council to rename the University of Abuja as Yakubu Gowon University has sparked widespread debate, particularly within the academic community and among those who have contributed to the institution’s development. The announcement, made during a recent Federal Executive Council meeting, came as a surprise to many Nigerians, especially considering the university’s long-standing role as a symbol of national unity.
The University of Abuja, established as a federal university in Nigeria’s capital, has always carried a name that embodies inclusivity and neutrality. Its identity, set apart from any regional or political influence, has made it a unifying institution for the entire country. The renaming of such a significant institution, however, has raised concerns about eroding its broader national identity.
General Yakubu Gowon, former Head of State and a highly respected figure in Nigeria, has indeed made substantial contributions to the nation’s development. His service to the country is widely acknowledged, and the decision to honour him with a university name may seem fitting. However, critics argue that renaming the university after him compromises the very essence of the University of Abuja, which has come to represent Nigeria’s collective aspirations, beyond any single figure or region.
The concern about preserving the original names of federal universities is not new. Throughout the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria, universities have maintained names that are deeply tied to local and national heritage, promoting both regional and national pride. For example, the University of Calabar in the South-South, University of Nigeria in Nsukka in the South-East, and the University of Lagos in the South-West are all iconic institutions linked to their respective communities. These names reflect the history and culture of the regions they serve, and any alteration to them would risk undermining their symbolic connections to the people.
The backlash over renaming universities is not without precedent. In 2012, during President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, the decision to rename the University of Lagos as Moshood Abiola University was met with intense opposition from students, alumni, and the broader public. Protests erupted across the campus, with many decrying the move as an attempt to erase the university’s established legacy. The government eventually reversed its decision in the face of this overwhelming resistance.
The lessons from the University of Lagos controversy are not lost on those now opposing the renaming of the University of Abuja. Critics argue that renaming the institution would risk a similar backlash, eroding the university’s identity and its role as a neutral and inclusive symbol for all Nigerians. Furthermore, they stress that such moves do little to address the more pressing issue of chronic underfunding and infrastructural challenges facing Nigerian universities.
Rather than focusing on renaming institutions, many believe that the government should prioritize improving the quality of education and equipping universities to compete globally. Nigerian universities continue to struggle with inadequate infrastructure, outdated teaching equipment, and insufficient funding for research. Without addressing these foundational issues, the renaming of universities serves only as a symbolic gesture that does little to improve the overall state of higher education in the country.
In this light, preserving the name “University of Abuja” is seen as essential in maintaining the institution’s neutral and unifying role. It is argued that the university should remain a symbol of Nigeria’s collective heritage, free from political or regional affiliations that could divide rather than unite the nation.
As the debate continues, stakeholders are calling for a renewed focus on education reform, urging the government to invest in modernizing university infrastructure and supporting research that can contribute to the country’s socio-economic and technological advancement. For many, the future of Nigeria’s universities should be built on strengthening their academic and research capabilities, rather than altering their identities.
Ultimately, the decision about the University of Abuja’s name goes beyond semantics; it is about protecting the symbols that unite Nigerians and ensuring that the nation’s higher education institutions are empowered to shape a brighter future for generations to come.
