UNILAG/ MAULAG Controversy: University Shut Down

Following the protest that erupted over the renaming of University of Lagos to Moshood Abiola University by the Federal Government on Tuesday, and to quell the growing tension in the institution, the university authorities have announced the temporary closure of the school.

It will be recalled that shortly after the pronouncement by President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday during his Democracy Day national broadcast changing the name of the school, students and lecturers of the university embarked on protest to register their disapproval over the name change.

The protest continued Wednesday when the protesters barricaded the ever-busy Third Mainland Bridge. The students and lecturers who arrived the Bridge as early as 7am carrying placards of various inscriptions, conveying a message of their non-acceptance of the new name.

Speaking at the protest, the ASUU Chairman of the university, Dr Karo Ogbineka, said any attempt to change the university’s name must be resisted and called on President Jonathan to revert the decision in the interest of peace.

According to him, “If President Goodluck Jonathan must honour MKO, he could name him after one of the those new established nine federal universities. UNILAG, already has a name that has been in existence for fifty years.”

In the light of the foregoing, the Senate of the university, in a release, has directed that all academic activities be suspended forthwith for two weeks.

The statement also mandated all students to vacate the Halls of residence, latest by 11.00 a.m. Wednesday, May 30, 2012. Also,the University security has been mandated to ensure strict compliance.