NOUN Alumni Oppose Plan to Rename University After Shagari

A proposal to rename the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) after former President Shehu Shagari has sparked strong opposition from the university’s alumni body, which has urged President Bola Tinubu to reject the idea.

The proposal gained attention after Shagari’s grandson, Nuradeen Mahe, recently suggested that the school be renamed “Shehu Shagari Open University” to honour the late president. However, this suggestion did not sit well with the university’s graduates, who believe the current name reflects its broader national purpose.

The alumni association, through its national president Ifeanyi Obukwelu, voiced concerns that renaming the university could weaken its image as a national institution with a unique mandate. He explained that NOUN’s name is tied to its identity as a federal open university that serves students across all 36 states of Nigeria.

Obukwelu argued that changing the name might create confusion, especially for past graduates whose certificates already bear the university’s current name. He added that the university’s recognition both at home and abroad is linked to its present name, and altering it could affect its credibility and reputation.

The association also pointed to examples from other countries like India, China, and the United Kingdom, where open universities maintain a national title to reflect their broad, inclusive missions. Obukwelu insisted that the same approach should be preserved in Nigeria.

While acknowledging the historic role Shehu Shagari played in founding NOUN in 1983, the alumni association recommended other ways to honour the late president. They suggested that the government could establish a scholarship, educational project, or national award in Shagari’s name rather than rename a federal university that carries a national identity.

The group also reminded the public that former President Olusegun Obasanjo played a key role in reviving NOUN in 2002, after it was closed in 1984 by the military regime that succeeded Shagari’s administration. This, they say, shows that several leaders contributed to the survival and growth of the institution.

The National Open University was first created through an act signed by President Shagari in 1983. Although it was shut down a year later, it remained legally in existence until Obasanjo brought it back to life nearly two decades later, expanding its reach and student population.

As the debate continues, the alumni are urging the Tinubu-led administration to preserve the university’s name and identity, while exploring other ways to pay tribute to past leaders.