FEC Renames University of Abuja to Yakubu Gowon University

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the renaming of the University of Abuja to Yakubu Gowon University in honor of former Head of State and elder statesman, General Yakubu Gowon.

This decision was announced by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Muhammed Idris, while briefing State House correspondents after a meeting of the FEC held on Monday. The meeting, chaired by President Bola Tinubu, took place at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

According to the Minister, the renaming of the institution is a significant move to recognize and celebrate the contributions of Yakubu Gowon to Nigeria’s unity, peace, and national development. General Gowon, who served as Head of State from 1966 to 1975, is widely credited for steering Nigeria through the civil war period and initiating post-war reconciliation and rebuilding efforts under the “No Victor, No Vanquished” policy.

While addressing journalists, Idris emphasized that although the decision has been taken by the Federal Executive Council, the renaming process will still require approval from the National Assembly to formalize the change. “This decision will go through the National Assembly, but FEC has taken that decision,” he stated.

The move to rename the University of Abuja highlights the government’s recognition of General Yakubu Gowon’s enduring legacy as a unifying figure in Nigeria’s history. Idris noted that the gesture also serves as a reminder of Gowon’s leadership during one of Nigeria’s most challenging periods and his continued contributions to national peace and progress.

The University of Abuja, located in the nation’s capital, is one of Nigeria’s prominent higher institutions, offering a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Once the renaming process is finalized, the institution will officially adopt its new identity as Yakubu Gowon University, cementing the legacy of the elder statesman within Nigeria’s educational landscape.

The decision has been met with mixed reactions, with supporters lauding the government for recognizing national heroes, while others await further clarity on the formal process and its impact on the institution.