ASUU Rejects Renaming of UNIMAID After Late Buhari

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has strongly opposed the recent decision to rename the University of Maiduguri after the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, calling for an immediate reversal of the move.

The announcement, which has sparked widespread controversy, was met with criticism from ASUU, students, alumni, and other stakeholders who view the renaming as inappropriate and lacking consultation. ASUU described the decision as a unilateral action that disregards the university’s historical and cultural significance to the people of Borno State and Nigeria as a whole.

The union emphasised that the University of Maiduguri, a prominent institution in Nigeria’s northeast, has a legacy tied to the region’s identity and academic contributions, which should not be overshadowed by political considerations.

‎Other Prominent activists, and alumnus Omoyele Sowore also condemned the renaming, urging the university’s alumni and students to reject the decision. Sowore argued that renaming the institution after Buhari, whose tenure was marked by polarising policies, does not reflect the values or aspirations of the university community. He called for broader consultations with stakeholders to ensure decisions align with the institution’s ethos. Neither the university’s governing council nor its academic community was adequately consulted. ASUU’s statement highlighted the lack of transparency in the decision-making process, noting that neither the university’s governing council nor its academic community was adequately consulted. The union demanded that the federal government reverse the decision immediately and engage in dialogue with relevant parties to preserve the institution’s heritage.

‎The controversy has sparked a broader debate on social media, with many Nigerians questioning the rationale behind honouring political figures through institutional renaming without a consensus. The University of Maiduguri, established in 1975, remains a key centre for learning and research in Nigeria, and its renaming has raised concerns about the politicisation of educational institutions.

As of the time of this report, the federal government has not issued an official response to ASUU’s demands. The situation is expected to evolve as more stakeholders weigh in on the contentious issue.