A decision by Nigerian President Bola Tinubu to rename the University of Maiduguri after former President Muhammadu Buhari has drawn criticism from politicians and alumni, reigniting debates about the legacy of public institutions. The move, announced during a Federal Executive Council (FEC) tribute session on Thursday, would rebrand the 54-year-old academic institution as “Muhammadu Buhari University.”
The proposal has faced immediate backlash, particularly from students and graduates who view the change as unnecessary. Many took to social media to express frustration over altering a name widely recognized by its acronym, UNIMAID, which has been synonymous with academic excellence in Nigeria’s northeast since its founding in 1975. Critics argue the rebranding risks eroding the university’s established identity and diluting its historical significance.
Former Kaduna senator Shehu Sani amplified these concerns in a Facebook post, stating the institution “should remain UNIMAID and nothing else.” He suggested reluctance to openly oppose the decision stemmed from deference to Buhari, who served as Nigeria’s president from 2015 to 2023. “Many former and present students are not happy about the renaming,” Sani wrote, “but they are shy or afraid of rejecting it because of the person whose name was used.”
The controversy reflects broader unease over Nigeria’s pattern of renaming public infrastructure after political figures. Under successive administrations, airports, train stations, and universities have been rechristened to honor prominent leaders, a practice critics describe as performative rather than substantive. Tinubu’s decision comes months after the Abuja rail network was named after him in May, sparking similar debates about prioritization of legacy projects over systemic improvements.
While the presidency framed the renaming as a tribute to Buhari’s “exemplary leadership,” opponents question the timing and rationale. Buhari, whose tenure faced scrutiny over economic challenges and security crises, remains a polarizing figure. Supporters argue the gesture acknowledges his contributions to education, including the establishment of new tertiary institutions during his administration.
Alumni networks have called for transparency in the decision-making process, urging authorities to consider stakeholders’ perspectives. Meanwhile, legal experts note that formal approval from the National Assembly is required for such changes, as stipulated by Nigeria’s laws governing federal universities.
The University of Maiduguri, located in Borno State, has long served as an educational hub in a region impacted by insurgency, maintaining operations despite security threats. Its alumni include prominent academics, policymakers, and business leaders, many of whom view the proposed name change as disconnected from grassroots sentiment. As discussions intensify, the debate underscores tensions between political symbolism and institutional preservation in Nigeria’s evolving socio-political landscape.
