Backlash Grows Over Plan to Rename UNIMAID After Buhari

A growing wave of opposition is building against the federal government’s decision to rename the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) as Muhammadu Buhari University.

Alumni, students, and concerned citizens have called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reconsider the move, arguing that it risks erasing the institution’s deeply rooted identity established over more than four decades.

In an open letter widely shared on social and traditional media, the stakeholders acknowledged the contributions of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari but urged the federal government to preserve UNIMAID’s original name. They described the institution as “a symbol of resilience, academic excellence, and regional pride,” particularly noting its steadfast operation during the height of the Boko Haram insurgency.

“UNIMAID is more than a name; it is a brand and a beacon of hope in the Northeast,” the letter read. It stressed that changing the name would result in the loss of its emotional and historical value.

The petition, led by Opeyemi Olatinwo and endorsed by thousands, including students and prominent alumni, insists that the decision does not reflect the will of the university’s key stakeholders or the broader Nigerian public.

While expressing respect for Buhari’s legacy, the group proposed alternative options for commemoration. Suggestions included renaming the Federal University of Transportation in Daura—Buhari’s hometown—or the Nigerian Army University in Biu, institutions they argue better reflect his background in military and public service.

“This is not a political protest,” the petition stated. “It is a heartfelt plea for continuity and the preservation of a name that has survived conflict and nurtured generations of leaders.”

As of Friday, the petition had garnered over 1,500 new signatures online, indicating growing public interest in the matter.

Supporters of retaining the UNIMAID name are urging the Tinubu administration to ensure broad, inclusive consultation before implementing changes of such national and cultural significance. Many remain hopeful that the president will revisit the decision in a way that both honours Buhari’s legacy and upholds the identity of the university.