The students of the University of Abuja have rejected the decision to rename the institution after a former head of state, General Yakubu Gowon (retd.)
The federal government announced the renaming of the University of Abuja after Gowon on Monday.
The University of Abuja, also known as UNIABUJA is a public university in the Nigerian capital, Abuja.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, confirmed this while briefing State House correspondents at the end of the Council meeting, presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He said the University will now be known as Yakubu Gowon University, Abuja, in recognition of the former ruler’s contribution to the stability of the country.
However, the students on Thursday took to the streets to protest what they described as an “unconstitutional move” by the President.
The students who gathered at the main gate of the permanent site of the university were seen with placards reading, “The voice of men is the voice of God,” “We stand for UniAbuja. We are the center of unity.” We are UniAbuja.” “Solve hunger problems not renaming UniAbuja.” ‘’It was rejected in Lagos, we are rejecting the same in Abuja,” and many others.
The students called on the federal government to immediately reverse the decision.
Comrade Nkem Silas, speaking on behalf of the Students Union Government (SUG), urged the federal government to reverse the decision. According to him, the students of the university are not happy with it.
He said renaming the university after Yakubu Gowon will have psychological effects on the students.
He disclosed that the students’ union will write a formal letter rejecting the change of name to the Federal Ministry of Education through the Vice Chancellor of the institution.
