A significant controversy is brewing following the federal government’s decision to rename the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) after the late former President Muhammadu Buhari.
President Bola Tinubu announced the renaming during a special session of the expanded Federal Executive Council (FEC) held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday, July 17, 2025.
Persecondnews reports that this decision has drawn widespread opposition, with many recalling a similar outcry from June 1, 2012.
At that time, then-Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola, along with Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi and other prominent Southwest political figures, strongly opposed the renaming of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) after Chief MKO Abiola, the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.
They and stakeholders had urged then-President Goodluck Jonathan to reverse his decision.
Tinubu had contended that though the President’s decision to rename the university after Abiola was welcome, it fell short of what was required.
He said, “We must congratulate the President for attempting to do it, but we say-do it right. MKO was elected by the entire country not just by the Yoruba – he was arrested and taken to Abuja. He was tried, incarcerated and eventually died in very controversial circumstances in Abuja under the custody of federal agents.
“Abiola’s mandate was a national mandate which he tried to reclaim. But we must be careful not to localise or sectionalise MKO.”
Fayemi, who is an alumnus of UNILAG, described Jonathan’s action “as an opportunistic recognition of the late winner of June 12, 1993 presidential election.
Buhari passed away on Sunday, July 3, at the age of 82, following a prolonged undisclosed illness at a private clinic in London.
Already, a united front of alumni, students, and concerned citizens is rising up in protest, urging President Tinubu to halt the contentious move.
In an open letter widely circulated across social and traditional media, the stakeholders acknowledged Buhari’s legacy but cautioned that changing the institution’s name would undermine a well-established identity built over more than 40 years.
Describing the university as “a symbol of resilience, academic excellence, and regional pride,” the petitioners, championed by Opeyemi Olatinwo, highlighted UNIMAID’s enduring role during the Boko Haram insurgency, when the institution remained open and active despite security threats.
“UNIMAID is more than a name; it is a brand and a beacon of hope in the Northeast,” the statement read, adding that there would be significant loss to its “emotional and historical value.”
The petition, endorsed by thousands of signatories, including current students and distinguished alumni, argued that the proposed renaming does not reflect the views of the university’s core stakeholders and the broader Nigerian public.
While expressing respect for the late president, the group proposed alternative ways to honour him, including renaming the Federal University of Transportation in Daura, Buhari’s hometown, or the Nigerian Army University in Biu, which, according to them, aligns with his military and national leadership background.
“This is not a political protest. It is a heartfelt plea for continuity and for the preservation of a name that has survived conflict and nurtured generations of leaders,” the petition stated.
The appeal, as at the time of filing this report, has gained momentum online, with over 1,500 new supporters signing it as of today (Friday).
Many of the petitioners highlighted the importance of inclusive consultation when decisions of such national and cultural significance were made.
Supporters of the university’s current name expressed optimism that President Tinubu would demonstrate fairness and sensitivity by revisiting the decision in a manner that both preserves UNIMAID’s legacy and honours Buhari appropriately.
Meanwhile, on X, there are diverse views on the issue, with many supporting the renaming, while others are against it.
@Jaymilayusuf posted, “UNIMAID alumni are already signing a petition. We will get the name back, In sha Allah. There is Army university biu and the newly established Federal university of agriculture Bama approved by tinubu. He should rename bot universities if he wants.”
@Al_amenen_yabo posted, “Waking up to see that UNIMAID has officially become Muhammadu Buhari University (MBU) brought tears to my eyes. A fitting honour for a man who gave so much. Thank you, President Tinubu, for remembering him in such a dignified way. The North will never forget this.”
@_simonjnr posted, “UNIMAID Must Remain UNIMAID. Unimaid is a brand that must be protected. Baba can be honoured in many ways but not renaming University of Maiduguri after him. UNILAG once rejected its renaming after Abiola. Unimaid Alumni must reject this.”
@HOD_Africa posted, “Yesterday, a historic decision was made under President Tinubu’s government: the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) has been renamed Muhammadu Buhari University, a lasting tribute to a national patriot.
“This renaming does not only express national gratitude but permanently links General Buhari’s legacy to a region where he once risked his life in service to the nation. Let us remember how, during the Chadian invasion, he boldly led Nigerian troops across the border to repel aggressors threatening Borno State.
“His courage, discipline, integrity, and decades of selfless service have earned him a revered place in Nigeria’s history.
Rest in power, Baba Buhari.”
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