Lagos University name change triggers protests

Students at the University of Lagos staged a two-day protest over a decision by Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan to rename the federal institution after a political prisoner who died in custody over a decade ago.

On 29 May Jonathan announced that the flagship university, also known as Unilag, would be renamed Moshood Abiola University in honour of Abiola, a popular businessman and politician widely believed to have won Nigeria's 1993 presidential elections. Abiola was denied victory however, when the election result was annulled by military ruler Ibrahim Babangida. After declaring himself president Abiola was jailed by Babangida's successor Sani Abacha, and died in custody in 1998.

On 30 May an estimated 1,000 students were involved in barricading the 12-km Third Mainland Bridge which connects Lagos to its islands – home to many of the city’s businesses – causing severe traffic tailbacks. The demonstration led authorities to close the university for two weeks and order all students to vacate its halls of residence with immediate effect.

Jonathan said that the name change would honour the "martyrdom" shown by Abiola.

SHARE
Wanted in Africa
Wanted in Africa
Wanted in Africa, part of the Wanted Worldwide network, is a website in English for expatriates in Africa established in 2006. We cover Europe's news stories that may be of interest to English speaking residents along with tourists as well. Our publication also offers classifieds, photos, information on events, museums, churches, galleries, exhibits, fashion, food, and local travel.
80461
Previous article CNBC Africa opens base in Maputo
Next article Mubarak ruling leads to protests in Cairo