A wave of controversy has greeted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s announcement renaming the University of Maiduguri after former President Muhammadu Buhari, sparking heated public debate and mixed reactions from stakeholders across the country.
The declaration was made on Wednesday during a special Federal Executive Council (FEC) session held at the State House in Abuja. The session was convened in honour of the late President Buhari, who passed away earlier this month.
President Tinubu described the renaming as a tribute to Buhari’s "indelible legacy" in national development and education. "This is a symbolic gesture to immortalize a man whose contributions to Nigeria’s unity and progress will be remembered for generations," Tinubu said during the announcement.
However, the decision has drawn mixed reactions from political figures, alumni of the institution, academics, and members of the public. Critics argue that such a change should have involved wider consultation, especially considering the historical and regional significance of the institution.
Founded in 1975, the University of Maiduguri—commonly referred to as UNIMAID—has long served as a beacon of higher education in Nigeria's Northeast. Many opponents of the change believe renaming the university undermines its regional identity and legacy.
A former Vice Chancellor, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: "While we recognise President Buhari’s contributions, the university’s name carries deep historical roots and symbolism for the people of Borno and the Northeast at large. It is not just an academic institution—it is a cultural landmark."
Supporters of the renaming, however, have hailed the decision as a deserved honour for a former head of state who, they argue, devoted his life to public service, particularly in the fight against insurgency in the North.
As reactions continue to unfold, it remains unclear whether the decision will face legal or institutional resistance, with several groups reportedly planning to challenge the move through petitions and public campaigns.
