Alumni, students of the University of Maiduguri, and concerned Borno State citizens have vehemently rejected President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to rename the institution Muhammadu Buhari University, announced on Thursday, July 17, 2025, during a Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja to honor the former president.
In a swift response, the groups condemned the move, emphasizing the university’s significance beyond its name.
“The University of Maiduguri is a powerful symbol of resilience, academic excellence, and cultural heritage, especially amidst the North-East’s past insecurity,” they declared.
A public petition launched online has garnered approximately 9,000 signatures within 48 hours, reflecting widespread opposition.
The petitioners appealed to President Tinubu, stating, “With the deepest respect to the legacy of the late President Muhammadu Buhari, whose contributions to Nigeria are indelible, renaming the University of Maiduguri does not align with the sentiments of its stakeholders or the institution’s enduring identity.”
They proposed alternative ways to honor Buhari, suggesting institutions like the Federal University of Transportation in Daura, his hometown, or the Nigerian Army University Biu, given his military background, as more fitting candidates for renaming.
The petition concluded, “Preserving the name of UNIMAID is not political; it is a plea for continuity, emotional attachment, and the integrity of a brand that has endured time and conflict. Let us honor Buhari’s legacy and UNIMAID’s soul without erasing either’s identity.”
