Tinubu renames Kaduna petroleum institute after Shehu Yar’Adua

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

Tinubu announced the decision on Friday during his 2026 Democracy Day broadcast.

The president described Yar’Adua as one of the key figures who helped shape Nigeria’s modern democracy.

“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.

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“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.”

Yar’Adua was a prominent Nigerian military officer who served as chief of staff of the Supreme Headquarters (de facto vice-president) between 1976 and 1979 under Olusegun Obasanjo, then head of state.

He played a key role in overseeing Nigeria’s first voluntary transition from military rule to a democratically elected civilian government.

After retiring from the military, Yar’Adua established the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM), which became a major force in Nigeria’s political landscape.

An outspoken critic of Sani Abacha’s military regime, he was arrested on charges of treasonable felony and died in prison in 1997 under controversial circumstances.