UniAbuja, UNILAG, FUTA, and Other University Renaming Decisions That Stirred Debate

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) recently announced plans to rename the University of Abuja in honour of General Yakubu Gowon’s 90th birthday, a decision that has provoked considerable discussion.

The institution is set to be renamed Yakubu Gowon University, pending approval from the National Assembly. According to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Muhammed Idris, the decision is not final until legislative consent is secured.

Such renaming initiatives often face criticism, with opponents arguing that altering the names of institutions disrupts their historical and cultural heritage.

This is not the first time a university renaming has triggered controversy.

In 2012, President Goodluck Jonathan’s proposal to rename the University of Lagos (UNILAG) as Moshood Abiola University led to widespread protests.

Students demonstrated against the decision, including a protest that caused the shutdown of the Third Mainland Bridge.

Critics, such as Obi Nwakanma, described the move as “myopic” and reflective of a broader pattern of revisionist politics. Nwakanma remarked, “It is myopic action. And I think it is time to test the limits of executive authority in the courts over this act by President Goodluck Jonathan.

“Since 1999 the PDP government in Nigeria has engaged in the project of revisionism. It renames, rebrands, and readjusts Nigeria’s national calendars to suit the limited and personal visions of the PDP and its interests irrespective of the Nigerian reality, starting with the day May 29 as Democracy Day.”

A similar controversy arose when the Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo (FUNAI) in Ebonyi State was renamed Alex Ekwueme University to honour the late Second Republic Vice President. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo announced the name change during Ekwueme’s funeral.

However, stakeholders like FUNAI’s Public Relations Officer, Ikechukwu Ubochi, expressed dissatisfaction over the lack of prior notification.

Civil rights activist Hycinth Achoja also argued that the honour would have been more appropriate for a prominent institution in Ekwueme’s home state of Anambra or Enugu.

In Akure, the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) has similarly faced renaming debates. Chief Afe Babalola suggested renaming FUTA after the late President Shehu Shagari to recognise his contributions to Nigeria.

However, the proposal faced opposition from FUTA’s Alumni Association and Student Union Government, who feared the name change could harm the institution’s identity.

The proposed renaming of the University of Abuja has also drawn criticism. Former Senator Shehu Sani argued that upgrading the university’s infrastructure would be a more meaningful initiative.

Sani remarked, “After renaming the University of Abuja, FEC should spare time and visit that university and see how its facilities can be upgraded and provide them with enough gadgets to secure their vast undeveloped land mass.”

Students and alumni have similarly expressed concerns, fearing the renaming could undermine the institution’s history and identity.

As debates continue, it remains uncertain whether the proposal to rename the University of Abuja as Yakubu Gowon University will be approved or face resistance similar to past instances involving UNILAG, FUTA, and FUNAI.