University of Abuja Students Protest Proposed Name Change to Yakubu Gowon University

Students of the University of Abuja are currently protesting the federal government's decision to rename their institution after former Nigerian Head of State, Yakubu Gowon.

The students are adamant that the university's name should remain unchanged, citing concerns about the potential consequences of the name change.

During a protest at the university's main gate, students carried placards with messages such as "We Stand for UniAbuja" and "Solve Hunger Problems, Not Renaming UniAbuja".¹ The Students' Union Government (SUG) has also submitted a formal rejection letter to the Federal Ministry of Education, urging President Bola Tinubu to reconsider the decision.

The proposed name change has sparked concerns about the university's historical and cultural identity, as well as potential economic and legal consequences. Prof. Jeremiah Vambe, an alumnus and faculty member, warned that the name change could have far-reaching implications for the university and its students.

This is not the first time a Nigerian university has faced a name change controversy. In recent years, several institutions have undergone name changes, including Bauchi State University, which was renamed Sa'adu Zungur University, and Northwest University, which was previously renamed Yusuf Maitama Sule University before reverting to its original name.