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ASUU Blasts FG Over UNIMAID Renaming to Muhammadu Buhari University

Published by Akinwale Fakinlede on July 20th, 2025.

Maiduguri, Nigeria — July 20, 2025

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has strongly condemned the Federal Government’s decision to rename the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) as Muhammadu Buhari University, describing the move as politically motivated and lacking in consultation.

In a press statement released on Saturday, ASUU expressed its disapproval of the renaming, calling it a “disrespectful and ill-considered decision” that undermines the identity and historical significance of the institution. The union accused the Federal Government of using national universities to score political points instead of addressing the numerous challenges plaguing Nigeria’s higher education sector.

“This decision is not only a blatant disregard for the university community but also a troubling sign of growing political interference in academic institutions,” the statement read. “Renaming UNIMAID after a former president without consultation with stakeholders — including the governing council, staff, students, and alumni — is unacceptable.”

ASUU further warned that the renaming of established institutions based on the whims of political leaders sets a dangerous precedent and could erode the academic independence of Nigerian universities.

The union emphasized that while it recognizes the right of any administration to honor past leaders, such honors should not come at the expense of institutional legacy or without broad-based consensus.

“The University of Maiduguri has built a unique identity over decades, serving as a beacon of learning in Nigeria’s northeast. Reducing it to a political symbol dishonors its contribution to education, research, and national development,” ASUU added.

The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Education, had earlier announced that UNIMAID would be renamed Muhammadu Buhari University in recognition of the former president’s contributions to national development, especially in the northeast region. However, the announcement has sparked widespread backlash across academic circles, civil society groups, and social media.

Alumni of the university have also voiced strong objections, with many insisting that the original name should be preserved in honor of the institution’s roots and its connection to the city of Maiduguri.

As the controversy deepens, ASUU has called for an immediate reversal of the renaming decision and urged the government to focus on resolving the long-standing issues affecting the university system, including poor funding, infrastructural decay, and staff welfare.

“Our universities need genuine reforms and sustainable investment, not symbolic name changes,” ASUU concluded.

The Federal Government has yet to issue a formal response to ASUU’s

statement.