A growing wave of opposition recently greeted President Bola Tinubu’s decision to rename the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) to Muhammadu Buhari University, as alumni, students, staff, and concerned Borno indigenes push back against what they describe as a “deeply misguided and politically motivated move.”
The renaming, announced on Thursday, July 17, 2025, during a special Federal Executive Council (FEC) session in honour of former President Muhammadu Buhari, has sparked widespread condemnation, with critics arguing that it undermines the institution’s legacy, identity, and deep regional significance.
In a public petition addressed to President Tinubu, thousands of UNIMAID stakeholders described the university as a “symbol of resilience, cultural heritage, and academic excellence,” especially in the face of years of insurgency in Nigeria’s North-East.
“The University of Maiduguri is more than just a name. It represents the strength of a region that has endured unimaginable hardship. To strip it of that identity is to erase decades of sacrifice and progress,” the petition states.
The document, endorsed by over 9,000 signatories in under 48 hours, appeals to the President to reverse the decision and instead consider renaming Federal University of Transportation, Daura — located in Buhari’s hometown — or the Nigerian Army University, Biu, as more appropriate alternatives.
“Respect UNIMAID’s Legacy,” ASUU Warns
The university’s chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has also strongly rejected the renaming. In a statement signed by Chairman Dr. Abubakar Mshelia Saidu, ASUU described the move as a “brazen affront to the institution’s legacy” and “an act of political patronage dressed up as national honour.”
“This is not only shocking but desecrates the sanctity of our alma mater, especially as we prepare to mark UNIMAID’s 50th anniversary. The name is not just a label—it is a legacy of scholarship, endurance, and service to the North-East and Nigeria,” ASUU declared.
ASUU confirmed it is mobilising its Congress and veterans to launch an intellectual and public campaign against the renaming, and has warned that its response would be “unequivocal, forceful, and commanding.”
“This Is Not Political — It’s About Identity”
In their petition, the alumni and student coalition emphasized that their objection is not politically motivated, but a call for “continuity and emotional integrity.”
“We respect the legacy of President Muhammadu Buhari. But UNIMAID should not be sacrificed to immortalise him, especially when numerous public institutions in Borno already bear his name.”
The group urged President Tinubu to consider other, more symbolically appropriate avenues to honour Buhari without compromising the heritage of one of the North-East’s most prominent academic institutions.
Founded in 1975, the University of Maiduguri has long stood as a beacon of academic excellence and regional pride, known for maintaining high standards despite operating in a zone repeatedly targeted by insurgents.
Opponents of the renaming argue that any attempt to rebrand the institution undermines its hard-earned identity and alienates the community it was established to serve.
Calls are growing for national dialogue on the renaming of educational institutions, with critics urging the federal government to prioritize community engagement, heritage preservation, and inclusive consultation before making such impactful decisions.
As the protests gather momentum, it remains to be seen whether President Tinubu will heed the calls for reversal — or press ahead with a decision that could redefine the face of one of Nigeria’s most resilient academic institutions.