Bola Ahmed Tinubu has renamed the Institute of Petroleum Studies in Kaduna as the General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua University of Geological Sciences and Engineering Technology.
He announced the change during his 2026 Democracy Day programme on Friday.
According to the President, Shehu Musa Yar’Adua made significant contributions to the development of Nigeria’s modern democracy.
He said, “Every generation has a defining responsibility. The generation of our founding fathers secured independence—the generation of June 12 secured democracy. Our generation must secure prosperity.”
“Let us move forward together—rejecting division, cynicism, and despair; embracing unity, hope, and confidence. Let us build a Nigeria united by a common purpose, strengthened by diversity, where justice is accessible, liberty is secure, and opportunity is abundant.
“Among the architects of modern democratic Nigeria, we honour general Shehu Musa Yar’Adua for his vision of national partnership.
“In recognition of his contributions, the federal government has approved the revitalisation and renaming of the completed Institute of Petroleum Studies, Kaduna, as the General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua University of Geological Sciences and Engineering Technology.”
BACKSTORY…
From 1976 to 1979, Yar’Adua, a prominent Nigerian military officer, served as de facto vice president and Chief of Staff at the Supreme Headquarters under Olusegun Obasanjo.
He played a key role in managing Nigeria’s first consensual transition from military rule to a democratically elected civilian government.
After retiring from the military, Yar’Adua founded the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM), which later became influential in Nigerian politics.
