The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to rename the Federal University, Wukari, in Taraba State, as T. Y. Danjuma Federal University, Wukari, in recognition of the contributions of retired Lieutenant General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma to Nigeria’s national development.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion jointly sponsored by lawmakers Jonathan Gaza Gbefwi, Mark Useni and Ayuba Zaku Dampar during plenary on Wednesday, October 28, 2026.
The lawmakers argued that renaming the institution after the former Chief of Army Staff and Minister of Defence would recognise his contributions through military and public service, philanthropy, and support for education, healthcare and vulnerable communities.
Leading the debate, Gbefwi recalled that the Federal University, Wukari, was established in 2011 to expand access to university education, promote research and contribute to national development.
He maintained that naming the university after Danjuma would preserve his legacy of service and provide lasting recognition of his contributions for future generations of Nigerians.
The motion received support from members of the House, with Bamidele Salam, Chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts, reportedly seconding the proposal before it was adopted through a voice vote.
Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, who presided over the plenary, commended the sponsors for bringing the proposal before the lawmakers and expressed support for the initiative.
The House consequently urged the Federal Government to facilitate the proposed renaming, subject to the necessary amendment of the university’s enabling Act.
It also mandated the House Committee on University Education to engage relevant stakeholders and facilitate the legislative measures required to give effect to the proposal.
Danjuma, a retired military officer, served as Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff from 1976 to 1979 and later as Minister of Defence from 1999 to 2003. Beyond his military and public service career, he has supported philanthropic initiatives, particularly through the TY Danjuma Foundation, which funds programmes in health, education and community development.
The foundation’s activities have contributed to initiatives aimed at improving access to essential services and supporting vulnerable populations, areas cited by the motion’s sponsors as part of the rationale for honouring the retired general.
The proposed name change, however, is not yet an accomplished administrative decision. Its implementation will depend on the completion of the relevant legislative and government processes, including the required amendment to the institution’s enabling law.
The development places renewed attention on the role of public universities in national development and the use of institutional naming to recognise individuals whose contributions are considered significant to the country.
If approved through the necessary processes, the proposed renaming would give the Taraba State institution a new official identity while retaining its location in Wukari. Until then, the institution remains the Federal University, Wukari.
