Thousands of Nigerians, including students, alumni, and concerned residents of Borno State, have rejected President Bola Tinubu’s proposal to rename the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) after former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The renaming was announced during an expanded Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja last Thursday, where Tinubu said the change was intended to honour Buhari’s contributions to national development.
But the announcement has since drawn widespread backlash, especially from the university community and indigenes of Maiduguri, who argue that the institution’s name carries historical and cultural significance, symbolising resilience and regional identity.
In response, critics of the proposal have launched a public petition titled “Preserve the Identity of the University of Maiduguri”, which has garnered over 9,000 signatures within 48 hours.
The petition reads in part:
“With the deepest respect to the memory and legacy of the late President Muhammadu Buhari… 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 petitioners emphasized that UNIMAID represents more than a name—it is seen as a symbol of perseverance in the face of insurgency and a hub of academic excellence in Nigeria’s North-East.
They urged the President to consider alternative institutions for renaming, such as the Federal University of Transportation in Daura—Buhari’s hometown—or the Nigerian Army University in Biu, which would better reflect the former leader’s military and political legacy.
“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,” the statement added.
While the Presidency has yet to respond to the growing opposition, the petition continues to gain traction online as more stakeholders voice their concerns.
