President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially renamed the University of Maiduguri as Muhammadu Buhari University, Maiduguri, in honour of the late former president Muhammadu Buhari.
The announcement was made on Thursday, July 17, 2025, during a special expanded Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting convened to pay tribute to Buhari, who passed away earlier that week.
President Tinubu described Buhari as a man of integrity, discipline, and unwavering patriotism, whose life was marked by humble leadership and steadfast service to Nigeria.
In his tribute, Tinubu highlighted Buhari’s contributions to national security, institutional reforms, infrastructure development, economic recovery, and anti-corruption efforts, as well as human capital development through initiatives like the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme and social welfare schemes.
The renaming was met with widespread applause from council members, including ministers who served under Buhari and his family members.
The Minister of Education expressed appreciation for the decision, describing it as a fitting tribute that underscores education’s critical role in national development. The university, established in 1975 and located in Borno State, holds symbolic significance given Buhari’s deep ties to the North-East region through his Kanuri mother.
While the renaming will reflect in all official university records, certificates, and affiliations, the Ministry of Education and the university’s governing bodies have been instructed to begin the transition process immediately.
The move has sparked discussions in academic and political circles, with some stakeholders urging the government to complement symbolic gestures with concrete investments in education, including improved funding and infrastructure.
The renaming stands as a lasting memorial for Buhari’s legacy, reinforcing the university’s role as a beacon of leadership, resilience, and nation-building—especially in a region long affected by security challenges.
It also sends a message of respect for legacy building through education to both the Nigerian and global academic communities.
