Nigeria: Pres. Tinubu renames UNIABUJA as Yakubu Gowon University

By Austin Okoro

Nigeria’s Federal Executive Council has renamed University of Abuja as Yakubu Gowon University.

This was approved on Monday 16th December 2024 during the meeting of the Federal Executive Council in Aso Rock villa Abuja.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, told newsmen at the end of FEC last meeting for 2024.

Idris noted that the Federal Executive Council decided to rename the University of Abuja to honour elder statesman, General Yakubu Gowon.

“The University of Abuja will henceforth, be called Yakubu Gowon University”, he stated.

“General Yakubu Gowon is a Nigerian former Head of State and statesman who played a significant role in the country’s history.

” Born into an Ngas ethnic group in Northern Nigeria, Gowon rose to prominence in the military, becoming the youngest military chief of staff in Nigeria at just 31 years old.¹

“Gowon’s leadership during the Nigerian Civil War, also known as the Biafran War, was marked by his famous “no victor, no vanquished” speech, which aimed to promote healing and reconciliation.

“After being overthrown in a coup in 1975, Gowon went into exile in the United Kingdom, where he earned a Ph.D. in political science from the University of Warwick.

” He later returned to Nigeria and became involved in various philanthropic efforts, including the founding of the Yakubu Gowon Centre, which focuses on issues like good governance and infectious disease control.

“Despite facing criticism and controversy throughout his career, Gowon remains a significant figure in Nigerian history and politics”, Idris stated.

How do you know Yakubu Gowon?

Yakubu Gowon is a Nigerian political and military figure who served as the Head of State of Nigeria from 1966 to 1975.

Born on October 19, 1934, in Kanke, Plateau State, Nigeria, Gowon joined the Nigerian Army in 1954 and underwent training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the United Kingdom.

He rose through the ranks, becoming a captain in 1960 and a lieutenant colonel in 1966.

Gowon’s tenure as Head of State was marked by the Nigerian Civil War, which lasted from 1967 to 1970.

He led the government’s efforts to maintain the unity of Nigeria and ultimately defeated the secessionist forces.

After the war, Gowon’s government implemented policies aimed at reconciling the nation and rebuilding the devastated regions.

He was overthrown in a military coup in 1975, but has since remained a respected figure in Nigerian politics, known for his efforts to promote national unity and development.

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