Students, alumni, and concerned citizens of Borno State have rejected President Bola Tinubu’s decision to rename the University of Maiduguri as Muhammadu Buhari University in honour of the former Nigerian president.
The announcement was made on Thursday, July 17, 2025, during an expanded Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. President Tinubu stated that the renaming was to immortalise Muhammadu Buhari’s contributions to Nigeria.
However, the decision has sparked widespread disapproval. Critics argue that the University of Maiduguri—popularly known as UNIMAID—represents much more than just a name. According to them, the institution is a symbol of resilience, academic excellence, and cultural identity, particularly given the region’s years-long battle against insecurity in Nigeria’s North-East.
In a public petition currently circulating online, students and alumni are demanding that President Tinubu reconsider his decision. They have suggested instead that institutions more directly connected to Buhari’s legacy—such as the Federal University of Transportation in Daura or the Army University in Biu—be considered for renaming.
The petition has gained significant momentum, attracting nearly 9,000 signatures in just 48 hours. Supporters of the petition stress that the legacy of UNIMAID should remain untouched, as it has stood as a beacon of hope for many amid adversity.
See their petition below:
The Issue
Preserve the identity of the University of Maiduguri – A respectful appeal against renaming University of Maiduguri to Muhammadu Buhari University
His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR
President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces,
Federal Republic of Nigeria
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 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. The name “University of Maiduguri” resonates deeply with the people it serves and reflects the institution’s strategic importance in national development, peacebuilding, and intellectual advancement in Northern Nigeria.
For over 40 years, this great institution has produced leaders, scholars, diplomats, scientists, and patriots who proudly identify as UNIMAID alumni. Its name is a source of pride not just in Nigeria but across Africa and the global academic community.
Our Appeal:
We respectfully request Your Excellency to reconsider and reverse the renaming of the University of Maiduguri. While we hold the memory of President Muhammadu Buhari in high regard, we believe his name can be immortalized through alternative national monuments, research institutes, or legacy projects that will not alter the historic identity of a university so beloved by its community.
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.
This would serve as a more fitting tribute, rooted in personal legacy, regional pride, and national relevance. 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. It reflects both his military heritage and his contributions to national leadership.
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.
We trust in your wisdom, fairness, and commitment to national unity and stakeholder engagement.
Thank you, Your Excellency.
What You Should Know
President Tinubu’s renaming of the University of Maiduguri after Muhammadu Buhari has triggered fierce backlash.
Thousands have signed a petition calling for the reversal of the decision, citing the university’s unique symbolic importance to Borno and the wider North-East.
