The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has rejected the Federal Government’s decision to rename the University of Maiduguri after the late President Muhammadu Buhari.
The varsity teachers described the move as ill-conceived and insensitive, and called for an immediate reversal of the decision.
The union further said that the institutional identity, historical significance, and lack of consultation are among the reasons for it’s stand against the name change.
The renaming, announced on Wednesday, July 17, by President Bola Tinubu during a special Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, was part of Government’s efforts to immortalize the late Nigerian leader, who died on July 13 and was buried in Daura, Katsina State.
In a statement issued by ASUU University of Maiduguri chapter , the union expressed its disagreement, describing the act as a unilateral action that disregards the wishes of the university community and broader stakeholders.
“The University of Maiduguri is not just a name; it is a symbol of academic resilience and community identity in the face of national adversity,” the statement read. “Any attempt to erase that identity through politically motivated renaming is unacceptable and must be reversed.”
The body faulted the Federal Government for not consulting relevant university organs, alumni, traditional institutions, or even the university’s Governing Council, currently non-existent due to delays in appointments.
It warned that renaming such an iconic institution without due process sets a dangerous precedence and undermines the autonomy of Nigerian universities.
Besides, students, alumni, and civic groups have launched online campaigns rejecting the new name, “Muhammadu Buhari University, Maiduguri”, arguing that the university’s legacy should not be politicized.
A petition launched by a coalition of UNIMAID alumni and concerned citizens has garnered over 1,600 signatures within days.
The petitioners contend that the university, which remained open throughout the height of Boko Haram insurgency, represents “the soul and strength of Borno and the entire North-East.”
Prominent public figures have also weighed in on the controversy. Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore condemned the renaming as “an insult to the history of the university,” while former senator Shehu Sani warned against the growing trend of renaming historic institutions after political figures.
“This is not how we immortalize leadership,” Sani said. “We must stop reducing universities to monuments of political patronage.”