Tension is mounting in Nigeria’s academic community as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) chapter, has vehemently rejected the recent decision by the Federal Government to rename the institution after the late former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The decision, which was announced during a special Federal Executive Council (FEC) session presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu earlier this week, seeks to immortalize Buhari by renaming the 50-year-old university as “Muhammadu Buhari University, Maiduguri.”
But ASUU has described the move as a “thoughtless, politically motivated action” that disregards the legacy, identity, and academic independence of the institution. The union has since called for an immediate and unconditional reversal of the renaming.
“Renaming Is a National Insult” — ASUU
Addressing a press conference in Maiduguri on Friday, Dr. Abubakar Mshelia Saidu, Chairperson of ASUU-UNIMAID, condemned the renaming, calling it a “brazen assault on institutional heritage.”
“This university was not built on the back of political loyalty. It has stood the test of insurgency, academic excellence, and community rebuilding. To rename it in this manner is to reduce its identity to mere political symbolism,” Saidu said.
The union warned that it would not hesitate to mobilize nationwide academic resistance if the decision is not reversed.
Legacy of a People, Not a Politician
Founded in 1975, the University of Maiduguri is not just a symbol of academic excellence in the North-East but also a resilient bastion of learning amid decades of insurgency. Many believe the renaming dishonors that journey.
“Names matter. UNIMAID’s name has become a badge of hope for displaced communities in the North-East,” noted Dr. Fatima Kachalla, a senior lecturer in the Faculty of Education. “You can’t rebrand trauma and triumph overnight in honor of one man.”
Public Backlash: “This Isn’t UNILAG All Over Again”
Prominent Nigerians, including former lawmaker Senator Shehu Sani and activist Omoyele Sowore, have joined the outcry, urging the President to learn from the 2012 UNILAG saga, where an attempt to rename the University of Lagos after MKO Abiola triggered mass protests and was ultimately reversed.
“History will judge this ill-advised move,” Sowore said via X (formerly Twitter). “You don’t need to vandalize academic identities to honor someone.”
Students, alumni, and civic groups have also launched online petitions, which gathered over 50,000 signatures within 48 hours, demanding that the name “University of Maiduguri” be preserved.
Let New Institutions Bear His Name
While acknowledging Buhari’s contributions to national development, ASUU argued that the former president can be honored through newer institutions or national projects.
“Why not name the Nigerian Army University in Biu after him? Or a federal asset in his hometown, Daura?” Dr. Saidu asked. “Why must it be an institution that predates his presidency?”
The Bigger Picture
ASUU has submitted a formal protest to the Federal Ministry of Education and has scheduled an extraordinary congress next week to determine further actions. If the decision is not reversed, the union hinted at possible academic disruptions nationwide.
As the controversy simmers, the Presidency has yet to officially respond to the widespread criticism.
Conclusion
Renaming a federal university is not merely administrative; it is cultural, academic, and generational. The backlash to this decision is a reminder that the identity of an institution must reflect collective history—not political favor.
What do you think of this development? Are you in support of the name change or against it? Let us know in the comments section.