by Peace Akpobome

The Federal Government’s decision to rename the University of Abuja is not sitting well with everyone as some groups have raised concerns over the decision.

This is even as the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has hailed the decision.

Nigeria News Source reported on Monday that the Federal Executive Council (FEC), at its last meeting of 2024 held at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, approved the renaming of the University of Abuja to Yakubu Gowon University in honour of Nigeria’s war-time military leader who turned 90 recently.

But the decision has met with strong opposition.

Abuja Indigenous Student Association (AISA), University of Abuja chapter, opposed the decision, raising concerns about potential negative impact.

AISA President, Comrade Adamu Abdulbasit, in a statement late Monday evening in Abuja, emphasized that the University of Abuja has long been a symbol of pride and identity for both the local community and the nation, arguing that altering its name would erase its history and diminish the cultural significance of the people of Abuja.

He said though renaming the university after a former head of state may be esteemed, but it “is not in the best interest of the institution or the country”.

“The University of Abuja is a federal university for all Nigerians, and its name should reflect its inclusive, national identity,” he stated.

The association called on the National Assembly, the Ministry of Education, and other relevant stakeholders to reject the proposed name change and retain the University of Abuja’s original title.

Additionally, AISA urged all concerned Nigerians to support the campaign to preserve the name and legacy of their cherished institution.

In a similar vein, a group of students of the University of Abuja has raised a petition to stop the renaming of the university.

The petition, started by Musa Abdulsurajo on Change.org and addressed to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and the National Assembly, is entitled “PETITION TO STOP THE RENAMING OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ABUJA TO YAKUBU GOWON UNIVERSITY”.

The petitioners said they are opposed to the renaming of the University of Abuja because the decision would “undermine the university’s identity as a symbol of national unity and potentially create divisions among Nigerians”.

“The University of Abuja was established to promote national unity, academic excellence, and social mobility. Renaming it after a single individual would erase the university’s historical significance and national identity, create controversy and divisions among Nigerians, and undermine the university’s autonomy and academic integrity. We urge the FEC and the National Assembly to reject the proposal to rename the University of Abuja, preserve the university’s original name and identity, and prioritize the interests of Nigerian students, academics, and citizens,” they said.

They urged other Nigerians to sign the petition, saying, “By signing below, we demonstrate our commitment to protecting the University of Abuja’s identity and promoting national unity.”

On her part, a media entrepreneur, Sola Adeola, said renaming University of Abuja after Gowon was a misnomer as no educational institution should be named after any military person, but after those who had paid their dues in education.

“Educational institutions should be named after heroes who have made significant contributions to their establishment, uplifting and continuous development, or other activities that align with such an institution’s values and mission,” Adeola said in a statement.

“I think renaming non-military institutions after military leaders can be perceived as an acceptance of their unwarranted foray into political terrain which till today has fuelled ethnicism, tribalism, disruption of Nigeria’s true federalism, unparalleled human rights abuses and oppression,” she said.

The media entrepreneur maintained that General Gowon’s legacy could be bestowed upon a military academy, such as the Nigeria Defence Academy or National Defence College, in his honour.

“That is where his legacies can be better appreciated and honoured. It is very disturbing to have a degree from a university associated with a military leader when he is not the one who established it, promoted it or significantly accentuated its development. Such renaming will certainly not inspire students or staff of the already depressed university,” she said.

She called upon President Bola Tinubu to rethink the decision, adding the need to acknowledge education heroes who have made a difference in the lives of Nigerians through their educational institutions.

On the flip side, however, the Arewa Consultative Forum commended the Federal Government on the decision.

In a statement issued in Kaduna on Tuesday, ACF National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Tukur Muhammad-Baba, praised the honour bestowed upon General Gowon, describing him as “a nationalist of exceptional stature, an icon of Nigeria’s struggles for national unity, a man of great humility, a symbol of military professionalism, and a revered hero who gave his all to keep Nigeria united”.

“The Arewa Consultative Forum received the news with delight, honouring our Grand Patron and nationalist icon.

“General Gowon’s dedication to national unity, development, and education makes him a deserving national hero.

“ACF is further elated that the befitting and worthy honour is coming on the heels of General Dr. Gowon’s 90th Birthday Anniversary.

“The gesture is also a Christmas gift of sorts from the FGN to the amiable and charismatic General!

“That the FGN is, by the gesture honouring such a deserving National Hero, while he is still alive to savour the recognition, is also most commendable,” said ACF.

According to the northern body, General Gowon, who ruled Nigeria from 1967 to 1975, played a crucial role in the country’s civil war and subsequent reconciliation efforts.

Consequently, the forum urged the National Assembly to accelerate the passage of the necessary legislation to formalise the renaming of the University of Abuja after the former Head of State.

Nigeria News Source recalls that opposition to decisions like this is not new. In 2012 when former President Gooodluck Jonathan attempted to rename the University of Lagos (UNILAG) after Chief MKO Abiola, prominent politicians of South-West extraction, including the current President Bola Tinubu, had opposed the decision.

“We must congratulate the President for attempting to do it, but we say-do it right. MKO was elected by the entire country not just by the Yoruba – he was arrested and taken to Abuja. He was tried, incarcerated and eventually died in very controversial circumstances in Abuja under the custody of federal agents. Abiola’s mandate was a national mandate which he tried to reclaim. But we must be careful not to localise or sectionalise MKO,” Tinubu had said then.