- Title: NIGERIA: Students protest change of university name.
- Date: 30th May 2012
- Summary: LAGOS, NIGERIA (FILE) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF UNIVERSITY OF LAGOS EXTERIOR
- Embargoed: 14th June 2012 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Nigeria
- Country: Nigeria
- Topics: Education
- Reuters ID: LVADKJZDPR1GC5WK7MBVHRXPV0K5
- Story Text: The University of Lagos, one of Nigeria's oldest higher learning institutions, is now the Moshood Abiola University (MAU).
In a national broadcast to mark his one year in office, President Goodluck Jonathan announced the change of the university's name in a bid to honour the late Chief Moshood Abiola - a champion of democracy who died in 1998 - for making the ultimate sacrifice in the pursuit of "truth and justice".
But Jonathan's sentiments have sparked anger among the university's students who are protesting the decision.
The riots began on campus on Tuesday, Nigeria's Democracy Day, and then poured on to the streets on Wednesday (May 30).
Students say the president should have consulted widely before changing the institution's name and "identity".
"We have a brand name and you can't just change a brand name so we said no! It's not possible. We are here to express our grievance that we are not MAU (Moshood Abiola University), if you know what MAU means, the great Kenyan struggle. MAU is not a good name. We are not MAU MAU and even if Jonathan Mr. President wants to change the name of the university, Jonathan never consulted the school authority, he never consulted us as students," said Enekemeche Paul, a law student.
The protests, which caused heavy traffic in one of the city's busy routes, were closely monitored and then dispersed peacefully by police.
"The students came out of their campuses, blocked the road, we have appealed to them to go back and they are going back," said Umoru Abubakar, the commissioner of police for Lagos State.
Abiola was a popular Nigerian businessman, aristocrat and politician who ran for the presidency in 1993, and won.
However, he remained president-elect till his death five years later, after the preceding military leader, Ibrahim Babangida, annulled the results saying they were corrupt and unfair.
"There are a lot of sentiments involved, Abiola did a lot not just for the politics of the country but also educational institutions, universities involved, but at the same time also, Lagos is a big city it's a name in itself so we should try to find a middle ground," said Ik Jekumado, a researcher.
The senate of the university - founded in 1962 and due to celebrate 50 years in a few days - has suspended academic activities for two weeks in order to avoid violence. - Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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