University of Maiduguri alumni and students reject renaming institution after Buhari

Alumni and students of the University of Maiduguri, alongside concerned citizens of Borno State, have strongly opposed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to rename the institution after former President Muhammadu Buhari.

The announcement was made on Thursday, July 17, 2025, during an expanded Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where President Tinubu declared that the university would now bear the name Muhammadu Buhari University, in a move to honour his predecessor.

Reacting swiftly, the affected groups condemned the decision, insisting that the University of Maiduguri represents far more than a name. “The University of Maiduguri is more than just a name. It is a powerful symbol of resilience, academic excellence, and cultural heritage — especially in the face of insecurity that once threatened the North-East region,” they stated.

The protest was formalised through a public petition that began circulating online shortly after the announcement. So far, approximately 9,000 individuals have signed in support of the appeal, which has gained significant traction within the past 48 hours.

In their appeal to President Tinubu, the petitioners wrote: “We, the alumni, students, and concerned citizens, write this heartfelt appeal to Your Excellency regarding the recent decision to rename the University of Maiduguri to Muhammadu Buhari University. With the deepest respect to the memory and legacy of the late President Muhammadu Buhari — a man whose contributions to Nigeria remain indelible; we believe that renaming the University of Maiduguri does not align with the sentiments of its core stakeholders and the enduring identity the institution has built over the decades.”

The petitioners proposed alternative options for immortalising Buhari, urging the government to consider renaming institutions more closely linked to his personal history and legacy. “In this regard, we respectfully propose that the Federal University of Transportation, Daura — a relatively new and highly symbolic institution located in former President Buhari’s hometown — could be considered for renaming… Also, considering his background as a retired military general, the Nigerian Army University Biu stands out as another fitting institution that could be renamed in honour of the Late Former President Muhammadu Buhari.”

Their message concluded with a plea: “Preserving this name is not a political position; it is a plea for continuity, emotional attachment, and the integrity of a brand that has stood the test of time and conflict. Let us honor both the legacy of former President Buhari and the soul of UNIMAID — without erasing the identity of either.”

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