Tinubu Renames Kaduna Petroleum Institute After Shehu Yar’Adua

President Bola Tinubu has renamed the Institute of Petroleum Studies in Kaduna as the General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua University of Geological Sciences and Engineering Technology.

The announcement was made during his Democracy Day address on June 12, 2026.

Tinubu said the decision was taken to honour the late General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, whom he described as one of the major contributors to Nigeria’s democratic development.

In his speech, the President urged Nigerians to remain united and focused on building a prosperous nation.

He said that while previous generations fought for independence and democracy, the current generation must concentrate on securing economic growth and opportunities for all citizens.

“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,” he said.

“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.”

After leaving the military, Shehu Yar’Adua became active in politics and established the People’s Democratic Movement, which later influenced Nigeria’s democratic landscape.

He was a vocal critic of the military government led by General Sani Abacha and was later arrested on treason-related charges. He died in prison in 1997, a death that remains the subject of debate and controversy.

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