Kemi Badenoch, Nigerian Unity and University of Abuja’s Nomenclature, An open letter to the Nigerian Federal Executive Council (FEC) and National Assembly (NASS), by Ismail Hussain Mshelia
As we continue to sing “though tribe and tongue may differ, in brotherhood we stand” in Nigeria’s national anthem, while pledging “to defend her unity” in the national pledge, both the country’s image and unity are being consciously tainted by a prominent Nigerian in the diaspora, in person of Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the opposition in the British parliament.
She negated our prayer “to build a nation where no man is oppressed” which we sing in the national anthem by tarnishing the country’s image as “a place where fear was everywhere”. Then she played the ethnic card to weaken our unity by identifying with a section of the country while referring to another as “terrorists” and “ethnic enemies”.
The prospect of other Nigerians at home and abroad being swayed by her sentiment is too horrifying for us to allow. We therefore must make every conscious effort to preserve and promote the image and unity of our dear country.
As the three arms zone among other strategic national monuments prove, no place symbolises Nigeria’s unity more than “Abuja”. It is officially Nigeria’s “Centre for Unity”, and as such, a home for all Nigerians irrespective of tribe, region or whatever affiliation.
Another national monument that symbolises this unity in the centre for unity is the “University of Abuja”. Indeed, the two major aims of the University, as its motto suggest are: (1) “unity” and (2) “scholarship”! These, you will agree with me, are lofty ideals the country cannot afford to toy with in any way, especially at a time some Nigerians are trying to divide us. While the nomenclature “University of Abuja” will continue to symbolise unity, the values it promotes through various programmes will continue to offer scholarship capable of neutralising the xenocentric campaigns of Kemi Badenoch and her ilk.
It is therefore clear that the nomenclature (University of Abuja) is as significant in promoting Nigerian unity as the scholarship the institution offers. The management has even strategically leveraged it to exude greater sense of national unity, by rebranding it to read: University of Abuja (The University for National Unity, TheUofA of Nigeria!).
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The proposed renaming of the university to Yakubu Gowon University will deprive the institution (and indeed the country) this unique literary masterpiece with all its associated benefits. Notwithstanding General Yakubu Gowon’s significant roles in Nigerian history, renaming a nomenclature that symbolises the unity of the 36 states of the federation after him will undoubtedly oversimplify the symbolism and create divisive interpretations of the national unity the university portrays.
May I also remind you that the University of Abuja has already established a significant reputation as a critical institution of higher learning since its founding in 1988? Current students, alumni, faculty, and staff have deep connections to the existing nomenclature having invested their academic and professional identities in it. Renaming the university risks undermining its existing academic identity, scholarly contributions, and the recognition it has built over the decades.
You are very aware that academic institutions draw strength from their continuous historical narrative, and abrupt name changes can potentially diminish the institutional memory and accumulated prestige. Furthermore, there are financial implications of renaming the University of Abuja that should rather be avoided, especially at this time our educational institutions are faced with inadequate funding which result in incessant strikes by university unions among others. Renaming a national university represents a substantial administrative and financial undertaking.
The resources required for such a change—including updating academic records, modifying official documentation, redesigning institutional branding, and communicating the change—would divert critical funding from essential educational investments such as research, infrastructure, and student support programs.
The foregoing reasons, I believe, are compelling enough to make you reconsider the move to rename the University of Abuja. If the intention is to honour General Yakubu Gowon’s contributions to Nigeria’s unity, there are potentially more constructive approaches. These might include establishing scholarships, creating dedicated research centres, or erecting commemorative monuments that celebrate his contributions without fundamentally altering an established educational institution.
The University of Abuja has many centres that could be named after him, as one of them is named after another national figure (Sultan Maccido). If his must be a university’s name, however, there are over 10 relatively new federal universities whose names neither symbolises the unity of Nigeria nor have they already established the reputation the University of Abuja has. I hereby respectfully recommend maintaining the University of Abuja’s current name and exploring alternative methods of historical recognition for General Yakubu Gowon, which do not compromise the institution’s established academic identity and operational continuity.
The University of Abuja should remain a beacon of unity, inclusivity, and academic excellence—values that resonate deeply with its current name. the name, therefore, should remain sacrosanct!
God bless the University of Abuja (The University for National Unity, TheUofA of Nigeria!)!
God bless Abuja, (The Centre of Unity)!! God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria!!!
Sincerely,
Isma’il Husain Mshelia
Proudly Nigerian, Proudly Uniabuja Alumnus
ismailmshelia@gmail.com 08188077841
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