The Abuja Indigenous Student Association (AISA) has strongly opposed the proposal to rename the University of Abuja after former military leader Yakubu Gowon.
This comes after Muhammad Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, announced the name change following a Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Monday.
In a statement on Tuesday, AISA President Comrade Adamu Abdulbasit expressed deep concern about the potential consequences of renaming the university.
He argued that the University of Abuja has long been a symbol of pride for both the indigenous people of Abuja and the nation as a whole, and altering its name would erase its historical significance and cultural heritage.
Abdulbasit further stated that while acknowledging Gowon’s contributions, renaming the institution after a former head of state is not in the best interest of the university or the country.
He emphasized that the University of Abuja, as a federal institution, should retain a name that reflects its national identity.
The association has called on the National Assembly, the Ministry of Education, and other relevant authorities to reject the proposed name change and preserve the original name of the university.
The also appealed to Nigerians to support their campaign to protect the identity of the institution
