FG renames the University of Abuja to Yakubu Gowon University

President Bola Tinubu has made a decision to rename the University of Abuja to Yakubu Gowon University, honoring the former military Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon. This announcement was made by Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, following a Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Idris emphasized the importance of this renaming, stating, "This decision reflects our commitment to recognizing the contributions of General Gowon to nation-building and his legacy of leadership." He further elaborated that the renaming is intended to celebrate Gowon's role in promoting national unity and stability during his tenure from 1966 to 1975, particularly through his famous policy of "no victor, no vanquished" after the Nigerian Civil War. This policy was pivotal in fostering reconciliation and healing in a nation recovering from conflict.

The minister noted that the proposal will be forwarded to the National Assembly for formal legislative approval, ensuring that this change is officially recognized. "The renaming will honor an elder statesman whose leadership has left an indelible mark on our history," Idris added, highlighting the significance of acknowledging such contributions within Nigeria's educational institutions.

General Gowon, who recently celebrated his 90th birthday, is remembered not only for his military leadership but also for overseeing significant economic growth during Nigeria's oil boom in the 1970s. The University of Abuja, established in 1988 as a dual-mode institution offering both conventional and distance learning programs.