The Nigerian government has officially renamed the University of Abuja in honor of former military Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon.
The institution will now be known as Yakubu Gowon University. The announcement was made by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, during the final Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting for 2024, presided over by President Bola Tinubu.
The name change, according to Idris, recognizes Gowon’s outstanding contributions to national unity and development.
Established on January 1, 1988, the University of Abuja was initially conceived as a dual-mode institution, offering both conventional and distance-learning academic programs.
This made it the first Nigerian university to integrate such a mandate from its inception. Located in the nation’s capital, Abuja, the university spans a 11,824-hectare campus at Gwagwalada and has grown into a hub of academic excellence. It houses nine faculties, a College of Health Sciences, a School of Postgraduate Studies, and specialized centers such as the Institute of Education and the Centre for Distance Learning.
The university has consistently emphasized fostering unity and academic distinction in its mission. Its programs span diverse disciplines, including law, social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, and education. It has also gained recognition for its contributions to research and sustainable development, offering interdisciplinary programs aimed at addressing global challenges such as climate change and food security.
Renaming the institution after General Gowon, who led Nigeria during the critical post-civil war years and championed the motto “One Nigeria,” is seen as a symbolic move to honor his legacy in national reconciliation and leadership. The decision reflects the government’s commitment to celebrating individuals who have played pivotal roles in shaping the nation’s history and future.
Be the first to comment