The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has rejected the Federal Government’s decision to rename the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) to Muhammadu Buhari University.
The union described the move as “non-consultative, politically motivated, and a threat to the university’s heritage.”
The renaming was announced on July 17 during a special Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held in honour of the late President Muhammadu Buhari. The government said the change was part of efforts to immortalise Buhari’s legacy in education, agriculture, and national security.
But ASUU insists that such a major decision should have involved wide consultation with stakeholders—academics, students, alumni, the university senate, and host communities.
“Renaming UNIMAID after Buhari is a move made without input from the people who uphold the institution’s values,” the union said. “It disregards the university’s long-standing identity, especially as a centre of learning that stood firm throughout years of insurgency in the North-East.”
Backlash Builds as UNIMAID Marks 50 Years
The university is preparing to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2025. Critics say the timing of the renaming is insensitive, especially given UNIMAID’s reputation for academic resilience during the Boko Haram crisis.
Prominent activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore urged Nigerians to resist what he called “historical erasure by political branding.” Former senator Shehu Sani also weighed in, saying “UNIMAID should remain UNIMAID and nothing else.”
ASUU’s UNIMAID chapter, led by Dr. Abubakar Mshelia Saidu, has mobilised its Congress, veterans, and extended executive council to resist the move.
The union warned that the decision “desecrates the sanctity of our alma mater” and “sacrifices its hard-earned reputation for political patronage.”
Petition Launched, Legal Questions Raised
A coalition of students, staff, and alumni have launched an online petition titled “Preserve the identity of the University of Maiduguri.”
The petition has gathered over 7,500 signatures and suggests that institutions in Daura or Biu—places with stronger personal ties to Buhari—would be more appropriate.
Legal experts have also questioned the validity of the renaming. The University of Maiduguri was established by an act of the National Assembly, and no formal legislation has been passed to change its name.
This means the renaming remains symbolic unless ratified by law.
Critics point to Buhari’s record on education, noting that federal universities were shut down for over 600 days during his administration due to ASUU strikes. They argue that naming a university after him sends the wrong message.
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