President Bola Tinubu has approved the renaming of the University of Abuja to Yakubu Gowon University.
The change of name, which was made public on Monday by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, is in honour of Gowon, who served as Nigeria’s military head of state between 1st August 1966 and 29th July 1975.
Idris told State House correspondents that the change of name was approved during Monday’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.
He added that the change of name would have to go to the National Assembly for legislative approval before it becomes effective.
Idris said, “The third item is that there is also a decision taken by the Federal Executive Council to rename the University of Abuja to honour elder statesman, General Yakubu Gowon.
“The University of Abuja will, henceforth, be called Yakubu Gowon University.
“Of course, the process will have to go to the National Assembly for all legislative work in that direction, but FEC has taken that decision to write to the National Assembly to change the name of the University of Abuja.”
Idris also revealed that the council will proceed on a recess from December 18, 2024, to January 6, 2025.
