President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially renamed the University of Maiduguri in honour of the late President Muhammadu Buhari, stating that the institution will now bear the name Muhammadu Buhari University, Maiduguri.
The announcement was made on Thursday during a special Federal Executive Council (FEC) session, where Tinubu delivered a deeply personal and emotional tribute to his predecessor. In his speech, the president praised Buhari’s enduring values of moral uprightness, discipline, and commitment to national service.
Tinubu noted that while Buhari was not without flaws—“no leader is,” he admitted—his character, consistency, and integrity left a lasting impression on Nigeria’s political landscape. He described Buhari as “a good, decent, and honourable man” who prioritized national interest above personal or political gain.
Addressing the council chamber filled with ministers, senior officials, and advisers, Tinubu reflected on Buhari’s conduct in office, saying he led with restraint and refused to be swayed by the allure of power or popularity. “He stood always ramrod—unmoved by the temptation of power, unseduced by applause, and unafraid of the loneliness that sometimes comes to those who do what is right rather than popular,” the president remarked.
He further asserted that Buhari’s approach to leadership set a moral benchmark for future leaders. Tinubu emphasized that Buhari’s governance style was guided by integrity, justice, and humility—values that, according to him, should continue to shape public service in the country.
Tinubu also recounted their political alliance, which, along with the contributions of other like-minded figures from various backgrounds, made possible Nigeria’s first peaceful transfer of democratic power from one ruling party to another in 2015. He commended Buhari’s leadership during that pivotal moment in history, describing it as quiet yet powerful.
Though aware that every leader’s legacy is open to scrutiny, Tinubu urged Nigerians to remember the example Buhari set in service, integrity, and national unity. He pointed out that the former president’s patriotism was often displayed in action rather than in grand speeches, and that his devotion to principle never sought public applause.
The ceremony concluded with a solemn moment of silence and prayers in memory of the late leader. Across the country, expressions of admiration continue to emerge from citizens, political groups, and civil society organisations honouring Buhari’s service.
By renaming the University of Maiduguri, Tinubu said he hoped to create a lasting institutional tribute to Buhari’s legacy, especially in a region that experienced years of insurgency and conflict. The university, now bearing the name of a man whose government invested heavily in security and regional stability, stands as a symbol of national resilience and renewal.
In his closing words, Tinubu said, “The incorruptible standard he represented will not be forgotten.”
What You Should Know
Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria’s former president, is being honoured by renaming the University of Maiduguri after him. This tribute comes as recognition of his disciplined leadership style and commitment to national unity.
President Tinubu praised him as a man of integrity who remained unwavering in the face of political pressure. The renaming also underscores Buhari’s impact in the North-East, where his administration focused heavily on security and reconstruction.
