Students of the University of Abuja (UniAbuja) have vehemently opposed the recent decision by the federal government to rename the institution after former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon.
The students have demanded an immediate reversal of the decision, citing a lack of consultation and potential adverse effects on the university’s identity and legacy.
The protest took place on Thursday at the university’s permanent site, where students gathered in large numbers at the main gate, carrying placards with inscriptions such as “The voice of men is the voice of God,” “We stand for UniAbuja.
We are the center of unity,” “Solve hunger problems, not renaming UniAbuja,” and “It was rejected in Lagos, we are rejecting it in Abuja.”
These slogans reflect the students’ collective dissatisfaction and their insistence on preserving the original name of the institution.
Speaking on behalf of the Students’ Union Government (SUG), Comrade Nkem Silas expressed deep concerns over the federal government’s decision.
According to him, renaming the university would have far-reaching psychological, legal, and economic implications. He appealed directly to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to maintain the institution’s current name, emphasizing that the change does not resonate with the students or the wider university community.
Comrade Silas further announced the union’s intention to formally oppose the decision by submitting a letter of protest to the Federal Ministry of Education through the university’s Vice Chancellor. “We will make our stance clear in writing,” he stated, reaffirming the students’ resolve to safeguard the institution’s identity.
Adding his voice to the opposition, Prof. Jeremiah Vambe of the Department of Public Administration, an alumnus of UniAbuja, criticized the renaming decision as sudden and unwelcome.
While acknowledging Yakubu Gowon as an iconic figure in Nigerian history, Prof. Vambe argued that the university community was neither consulted nor adequately prepared for such a significant change.
He highlighted potential economic challenges, including the costs of rebranding and legal adjustments, as well as the psychological toll on students and staff.
“Changing the name of this institution will require amending the law that established the University of Abuja,” Prof. Vambe explained. He urged the government to carefully reconsider the decision, pointing out the ripple effects it could have on the university’s operations and its stakeholders.
Similarly, Comrade Adamu Abdulbasit, President of the Abuja Indigenous Students Association (AISA), UniAbuja chapter, condemned the move as an erosion of the institution’s foundational history and identity. He argued that the name change undermines the significance of the university to the natives of Abuja and the broader community.
Comrade Abdulbasit proposed an alternative solution, urging the federal government to complete the long-abandoned University of Science and Technology in Abaji, Abuja, and rename it in honor of a distinguished personality such as Ladi Kwali. This, he suggested, would better serve the interests of the region while preserving UniAbuja’s legacy.
The students’ protest comes against the backdrop of a similar rejection in Lagos, where an attempt to rename the University of Lagos (UNILAG) after Chief Moshood Abiola in 2012 faced strong resistance. This historical context has fueled the determination of UniAbuja students to resist what they see as an unwarranted alteration to their institution’s identity.
For many, the renaming of UniAbuja is seen as an unnecessary distraction from pressing issues such as inadequate funding, infrastructure deficits, and the welfare of students and staff.
As one placard poignantly read, “Solve hunger problems, not renaming UniAbuja,” highlighting the broader frustrations of Nigeria’s youth with the government’s priorities.
As the students continue to mobilize support for their cause, the federal government faces growing pressure to reconsider its decision. The protest serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of stakeholder engagement in policymaking, particularly when it involves institutions of national significance.
