Tinubu Converts Kaduna Institute to University, Renames It After Shehu Musa Yar’Adua
President Bola Tinubu has approved the establishment and renaming of a federal university in Kaduna State in honour of the late General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua.
Politics Nigeria reports that the announcement was made during activities marking Nigeria’s 2026 Democracy Day celebration on June 12.
In a nationwide broadcast on Friday, Tinubu said the Federal Government had converted the completed Institute of Petroleum Studies, Kaduna, into a full-fledged university.
The institution will now be known as the General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua University of Geological Sciences and Engineering Technology.
The President said the decision recognises Yar’Adua’s contributions to Nigeria’s democratic journey and his long-standing advocacy for national unity and political stability. He described the late general as one of the key figures who shaped modern democratic ideals in the country.
General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, elder brother of former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, was widely known for his role in the struggle for democratic governance, particularly around the June 12, 1993 political transition. He was also a central figure in the pro-democracy movement of the Third Republic.
Tinubu said the honour reflects the sacrifices made by many Nigerians who stood firm during military rule. According to him, several patriots faced detention, exile, and political persecution while pushing for a return to civilian governance.
During the broadcast, the President also paid tribute to other democracy activists and announced national honours for Joe Okei-Odumakin, Richard Akinnola, Ishola Williams, Arthur Nwankwo, and others. He said the full list of awardees would be released in the coming days as part of the official Democracy Day honours.
Tinubu reflected on Nigeria’s democratic journey, noting that the country has now enjoyed 27 years of uninterrupted civilian rule since 1999 — the longest sustained democratic period in its history. He urged citizens to protect and strengthen democratic institutions.
“The generation of our founding fathers secured independence. The generation of June 12 secured democracy. Our generation must secure prosperity,” he said.