A group identifying as the Concerned UNIMAID Alumni Association/Friends of UNIMAID has issued a strongly worded statement rejecting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent decision to rename the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) after the late President Muhammadu Buhari.
In the statement, the group expressed “unequivocal” opposition to the move, describing it as politically motivated and harmful to the institution’s legacy.
“UNIMAID is a legacy institution that has stood the test of time, serving as a beacon of academic excellence, resilience, and intellectual growth in Nigeria’s Northeast for decades,” the statement read.
“Renaming this prestigious citadel of learning for apparent political gain is not only condemnable but also undermines the university’s hard-earned identity and historical significance.”
Founded in 1975, the University of Maiduguri has played a pivotal role in educating generations of leaders and professionals, especially in the North-East region. The alumni group acknowledged the contributions of former President Buhari but insisted that his legacy could be better honoured through more fitting alternatives.
“We firmly believe there are better and more appropriate ways to honor his legacy than attaching his name to an established institution like UNIMAID. Options such as establishing a new university, a research center, or a national monument in his name would preserve his memory without erasing the unique heritage of an existing entity,” the group noted.
Referencing the university’s slogan, “If you want to be made, enter UNIMAID,” the group stressed that the institution’s name embodies its identity and transformative mission. They warned that altering the name would dilute this widely recognized branding and the values it represents.
They also cited a similar episode in 2012 when then-President Goodluck Jonathan attempted to rename the University of Lagos (UNILAG) after the late Chief MKO Abiola. That proposal met stiff resistance and was eventually shelved.
“If a region could reject the renaming of a school in honor of one of their most illustrious sons, then we in the Northeast have every right to reject this Greek gift imposed on UNIMAID,” the statement said.
Clarifying their position, the group emphasized that their objection was not an indictment of Buhari’s achievements but rather a “defense of institutional autonomy and cultural preservation.”
They concluded by urging President Tinubu to reconsider the renaming and consult relevant stakeholders.
“UNIMAID belongs to all Nigerians, and its name should reflect its enduring legacy, not fleeting political alliances,” the statement declared.
