Mirian Gom 
President Bola Tinubu
ABUJA, Nigeria – President Bola Tinubu has announced the renaming of the completed Institute of Petroleum Studies in Kaduna as the General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua University of Geological Sciences and Engineering Technology.
Tinubu made the announcement on Friday during his 2026 Democracy Day address, describing the move as part of efforts to honour individuals who played significant roles in Nigeria’s democratic evolution.
The President says the decision recognises the contributions of the late General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, a former military officer widely regarded as one of the key figures in Nigeria’s transition to civilian rule.
“Among the architects of modern democratic Nigeria, we honour General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua for his vision of national partnership,” Tinubu says.
“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.”
Alongside the renaming of the institution, the President announces national honours for more than 30 democracy activists, soldier-democrats, labour leaders and other contributors to the June 12 struggle.
The honours include posthumous recognition for democracy advocates Dr Arthur Nwankwo and Ben Charles-Obi.
Tinubu says the full list of recipients will be released in the coming days.
The late General Yar’Adua played a prominent role in Nigeria’s political development and became a leading advocate for democratic reforms before his death in detention in 1997.
The newly renamed institution is expected to focus on geological sciences, engineering and technology education, aligning with the Federal Government’s broader objective of strengthening specialised higher education and technical capacity development.
The announcement comes as Nigeria commemorates June 12, a date widely regarded as symbolic of the country’s democratic struggle following the annulment of the 1993 presidential election won by the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola.
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Oluwafunbi Bello 
Korede Abdullah 