The Federal Government’s controversial decision to rename the University of Maiduguri after former President Muhammadu Buhari has triggered a fierce backlash from the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), UNIMAID chapter.
The union has not only rejected the move outright but has also vowed to take the matter to court, branding the action as a violation of university autonomy and academic tradition.
In a press statement released on Friday, July 25, 2025, and jointly signed by ASUU-UNIMAID Chairperson Dr. Abubakar Mshelia and Assistant Secretary Peter Teri, the union described the renaming as an “ill-conceived” and “arbitrary” decision taken without consulting key stakeholders. The announcement follows an emergency congress meeting held on July 24, which brought together academic staff, Student Union Government (SUG) representatives, and other prominent members of the university community.
“The congress unanimously resolved to vehemently reject and strongly condemn the decision to rename the University of Maiduguri to Muhammadu Buhari University, Maiduguri,” the statement reads.
ASUU said the 50-year-old institution represents a symbol of heritage, cultural identity, and academic legacy in Nigeria’s northeast and beyond, and that altering its name for political reasons undermines its historical importance and academic autonomy.
The union emphasized that naming a public university after any political figure, especially without stakeholder engagement, sends the wrong message and disregards the core principles of academic independence.
Stakeholders within the university are reportedly angered by what they perceive as an increasing trend of political interference in public education. ASUU argues that decisions of this nature should follow due process and wide consultation, not unilateral executive action.
The union further accused the Federal Government of lacking transparency and failing to consider the sentiments of alumni, faculty, students, and civil society. According to ASUU, the move also reflects a “troubling disregard for due process and stakeholder engagement in governance.”
ASUU-UNIMAID announced it has given its executive committee a mandate to initiate legal proceedings to halt the renaming process and restore the university’s original identity.
This legal action could spark a broader constitutional debate over the limits of federal authority in university governance — particularly as it relates to the naming and administration of higher education institutions.
ASUU has also called on its national leadership and other university chapters to resist the move and collaborate with civil society organizations, students, and lawmakers in pushing back against any legislative endorsement of the name change.
The renaming of public institutions after political leaders is not a new phenomenon in Nigeria, but it remains a deeply divisive one. Critics argue it politicizes education and erodes the nonpartisan nature of academic institutions.
Since the announcement, social media has been awash with mixed reactions. While some see the gesture as an honor to the former president’s legacy, others, particularly those connected to the institution, view it as a needless and tone-deaf political move.
This legal standoff between ASUU and the Federal Government could have wide-reaching implications, not just for UNIMAID but for other public universities that may face similar renaming proposals in the future.
