Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has praised President Bola Tinubu for honoring the late former leader Muhammadu Buhari through the renaming of a prominent academic institution. In a statement released on Friday by the Federal Ministry of Education’s press director, Boriowo Folasade, the government confirmed that the University of Maiduguri in Borno State will now be known as Muhammadu Buhari University of Maiduguri. The decision, formally announced during a special session of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in Abuja, was described as a fitting tribute to Buhari’s legacy.
Alausa emphasized the symbolic and practical significance of the renaming, calling it an acknowledgment of education’s role in fostering national progress. “The Ministry is deeply honored to serve as the channel through which President Buhari’s contributions are immortalized,” he stated. “This gesture reflects President Tinubu’s respect for his predecessor and aligns with a shared vision of prioritizing education as the foundation of sustainable development.” The Minister further noted that Tinubu’s decision underscores the administration’s commitment to advancing human capital initiatives, a policy direction he said Buhari championed during his tenure.
The expanded FEC meeting, convened to commemorate Buhari’s legacy, brought together political leaders, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, governors, federal ministers, and civil service heads. Attendees delivered tributes highlighting Buhari’s impact on Nigerian governance, though specifics of their remarks were not detailed in the release.
While the renaming decision has yet to elicit broader public reaction, Alausa framed it as part of a continuity in governance values. He reiterated the Education Ministry’s dedication to upholding principles of integrity and service, which he attributed to both Tinubu and Buhari. The University of Maiduguri, a key institution in Nigeria’s northeast region, has long served as an academic hub amid security challenges in the area. Its reconstitution under Buhari’s name now positions it as a symbolic bridge between past and present policy priorities.
This move follows a longstanding tradition in Nigeria of renaming public institutions after former leaders, though such decisions often draw mixed responses. The government’s focus, however, remains on framing the change as a unifying act. No further details were provided regarding potential operational shifts for the university or timelines for implementing the new name.
