House of Representatives’ Special Committee on Constitution Review has reportedly received a proposal to change Nigeria’s name to United African Republic.
According to PulseNG, the proposal was submitted by Adeleye Jokotoye, a tax consultant on Wednesday, June 2, 2021.
While presenting the proposal, he said Nigeria’s current name was an imposition of its past colonial masters and should be changed.
The name Nigeria was taken from Niger River running through the country. This name was coined on January 8, 1897, by British journalist Flora Shaw, who later married Lord Lugard, a British colonial administrator.
She referred to the area as Nigeria, after Niger River, which dominates much of the country’s landscape. The word Niger is Latin for black. More than 250 ethnic tribes call present-day Nigeria home.
Jokotoye said a change of name for the country would physically and psychologically reflect a new beginning.
He expressed;
At this crossroads in our history, it is mandatory that we change our name to reflect a new beginning which will be ushered in with a new constitution.
At this crossroads in our history, it is mandatory that we change our name to reflect a new beginning which will be ushered in with a new constitution.
Explaining why he chose United African Republic, Jokotoye said Nigeria is made up of hundreds of ethnic groups that need to be united.
As an alternative, he suggested that Nigeria could also choose United Alkebulan Republic (meaning: United Mother of Mankind Republic) as its new name.
The tax consultant also suggested amendments to the constitution to reflect fiscal federalism, state or regional resource and taxation control, removal of immunity clause, and review of the Exclusive Legislative List.
Reacting to the development, many Nigerians took to Twitter to express their opinions on the proposed name change for Nigeria.
While some considered the move as a bid to thwart the efforts of some groups across the country calling for secession of some parts, others laughed at the idea, dismissing it as untenable.
See reactions below;
Now that you people are planning to change Nigeria’s name to United African Republic, What will I do with My Great nation song?!
Una Dey stress me too much.
— Timi Dakolo (@timidakolo) June 2, 2021
Renaming the country United African Republic will not change anything. People just want security, light, good roads and a working economy. Is that too much to ask for?
— Wale Adetona (@iSlimfit) June 2, 2021
So our problem as a country is how to change name from Nigeria to United African Republic. This is the height of madness
— Dr PamPam | Omo Iya Ologi (@UnclePamilerin) June 2, 2021
House of Reps receives proposal to change Nigeria’s name to UAR i.e. United African Republic or United Alkebulan Republic as Nigeria.
😂🤣 Imagine, Alkebulan ko, Akara Osu ni. Old wine in new bottle.
— Ayemojubar (@ayemojubar) June 2, 2021
So when Nigeria is finally changed to “United African Republic”, The citizen will now be called Uranium 😂😂 sense will not kill me pic.twitter.com/oXEfhHg7lG
— Amazing Tv❁ (@officialarole1) June 2, 2021
We have the least qualified and most stup*d people ruling this country. Will changing Nigeria’s name to United African republic solve our problems???
— IRUNNIA ™ (@Irunnia_) June 2, 2021
There’s a proposal in the house of Representatives saying they should change Nigeria name to United African Republic or United Alkebulan Republic (UAR).
Lmao, I don’t even know what to say.— Uncle Ajala (@UNCLE_AJALA) June 2, 2021
If you na don sell Nigeria, make we know, no dey stress us.
Which one be United African Republic again pic.twitter.com/1WZDX0NuEF— Christopher Edidiong (@Xtopherc1) June 2, 2021
United African Republic abi? Anyways China still knows who’s owing them money
— Chlorpheniramine #EndSARS 🇳🇬 (@VictorIsrael_) June 2, 2021
So House of reps members wan do Naming ceremony for a whole Agbaya like Nigeria turn am to United African Republic 😂💀🇳🇬 leeeeemaaooo 😭 pic.twitter.com/FZdUkXLcOp
— 👮🏿♀️Naija Alaye ➐ (@NationOfNigeria) June 2, 2021
Our govt don use Nigeria borrow money finish. Now dey wan change to United African Republic. 😂😂 Werey wan disguise pic.twitter.com/lWPxAXenZG
— Kelvin 🌹 (@timizkelvin) June 2, 2021
China: Nigeria we’ve come to collect our money.
World Bank: Nigerians arrange our money, we will be collecting it soon
IMF: Nigeria our money oooNigerians: b…b…but we are United African Republic Na pic.twitter.com/ZCf0BLuePc
— Ogechukwu (@benedictaee) June 2, 2021
If this means United African Republic that means Nigeria is place for all Africa… They want to invite all Fulani across Africa to come and live in Nigeria… But I Know biafra and Yoruba Nation will not accept this trick… Mad people everywhere even in house of rep… https://t.co/fZmQImFJKJ
— Ikekpeazu Ejike (@ikekpeazu) June 2, 2021
First of all we are not an Arabic state, so why should an Arabic Name be our New Name..
Second of all, why should we be called United African Republic when it is only one country and not two to three countries coming together..
Thirdly, all of them for that house dey MAAAAAAD.
— ✞ Đቿʊ₴ †ɨмጀ✞ (@Paul_Timx7) June 2, 2021
Picture example of FG changing Nigeria to United African Republic or United Alkebulan Republic. pic.twitter.com/T8BWQALY7Y
— JUST KINGS ™️ (@JustKingss) June 2, 2021
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States of AmericaThese countries work because they are actually United. The person(s) that came up with the idea and name United African Republic need(s) need psychiatric evaluation.
— Daniel Extraordinary (@danxtraordinary) June 2, 2021
If una name the country “Alkebulan”, wetin we go call him citizens?
Better name the country “Alkebula” so that the citizens can be referred to as “Alkebulans” or “Alkebooleans”.
Wahala be like United African Republic 😂
— Onyeoma CX (@OnyeomaCX) June 2, 2021
