UniAbuja alumni association rejects renaming of varsity after Gowon

The University of Abuja’s Alumni Association and ex-students leaders have rejected the federal government’s proposal to rename the institution after former head of state Yakubu Gowon.

On December 16, President Bola Tinubu approved the renaming of the University of Abuja to Yakubu Gowon University.

Mohammed Idris, minister of information and national orientation, who announced the approval, said the renaming of UniAbuja was to honour Gowon, who recently celebrated his 90th birthday.

However, in a statement on Monday, Habeeb Abdulkadir, the convener of the association, described the proposal as “a right step in the wrong direction,” citing potential destruction of the university’s legacy, significant social and financial costs, and logistical challenges.

Abdulkadir acknowledged the intention to honour Gowon’s contributions to national unity but argued that renaming the university would negate its branding efforts, complicate administrative processes, and diminish its accumulated prestige.

He said the federal government should look at alternative ways to honor Gowon, such as renaming Eagle Square after him or establishing a new institution or research center in his name.

“To formally register our displeasure with the proposed name change and propose more fitting and less disruptive ways of achieving the intended benefits, we have submitted letters to the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the respective leaders of the upper and lower legislative chambers (with the attention of their respective Committees on education chairmen), the Minister of Education, and the Executive Secretary of National Universities Commission (NUC),” Abdulkadir said.

He noted that the name “University of Abuja” is indeed a national symbol having reflected the institution’s geographical and national identity, which symbolises a connection to Abuja, the nation’s centre for unity which represents the convergence of Nigeria’s diverse cultures, ethnicities, and histories.

He urged the federal government to focus on strengthening the institution rather than renaming it.

Abdulkadir cautioned that changing the name of the institution risks eroding the sense of pride and identity that its’ alumni, students, and staff have built over the years.

“The move to rename the university raises questions about consultation and public involvement in national decisions affecting education,” he said.

“Stakeholders (including students, faculty, staff and alumni) feel excluded in the decision process which we perceive as a top-down imposition.

“Transparency and inclusive dialogue in such matters could have led to a more widely accepted change, or reasons would have been adduced not to go on with the renaming ab initio while minimising polarisation and resistance within academic and public circles. The reverse is completely the case here.”

Meanwhile, students at the University of Abuja have also joined the rejection, holding a peaceful protest at the institution’s main gate and initiating an online petition that has garnered thousands of signatures.