The Federal Government has announced the changing of the University of Abuja to Yakubu Gowon University in honour of Nigeria’s former Head of State.
Nigeria’s leader from 1966 to 1975, General Yakubu Gowon, who led the country through a turbulent Civil War, recently marked his 90th birthday.
He was overthrown in a coup led by General Murtala Muhammed, who replaced him on 12th June 1975.
Announcement of the honour followed a Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The decision was disclosed by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, during a press briefing at the State House on Monday.
Idris stated that the proposal to officially change the university’s name would be forwarded to the National Assembly for formal approval.
The renaming recognises General Gowon’s contributions to Nigeria’s unity and development, reflecting the government’s commitment to honoring national icons.
Gowon delivered the famous “no victor, no vanquished” speech at the war’s end to promote healing and reconciliation.
Gowon has maintained that he committed no wrongdoing during the war and that his leadership saved the country.
An Anglican Christian from a minority Ngas ethnic group of Northern Nigeria, Gowon is a Nigerian nationalist, and a believer in the unity and oneness of Nigeria.
Gowon’s rise to power followed the July 1966 counter-coup and cemented military rule in Nigeria. Consequently, Gowon served for the longest continuous period as Head of State, ruling for almost nine years until his overthrow in the coup d’état of 1975 by Brigadier Murtala Mohammed.
