The House of Representatives on Wednesday received a proposal to change Nigeria’s name to the United African Republic or United Alkebulan Republic (UAR).
The proposal to rename the country was received by the House of Representatives’ Special Committee on Constitution Review during the South West Zonal Public Hearing in Lagos on Wednesday, June 2, 2021.
A tax consultant, Adeleye Jokotoye, who submitted the proposal, said Nigeria’s current name was an imposition of its past colonial masters and should be changed.
Noting that a change of name for the country would physically and psychologically reflect a new beginning, Jokotoye said:
“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.”
Jokotoye explained that he chose ‘ United African Republic ‘ because 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.
