ASUU UNIMAID Opposes Federal Move to Rename University After Buhari

Maiduguri, Nigeria— The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Maiduguri branch, has firmly rejected the federal government’s proposal to rename the institution after former President Muhammadu Buhari, condemning it as “politically motivated” and a blatant disregard for the university’s heritage 

The union’s stance was made clear in a statement released Saturday by ASUU UNIMAID Chairperson, Dr. Abubakar Mshelia Saidu, in response to the announcement delivered at the July 17 special Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting convened to honour the former president.

According to Dr. Saidu, the plan is an affront to the university’s longstanding tradition, academic standing, and national reputation.

“This move is nothing short of appalling; it tramples upon the sanctity and ethos of our institution,” the statement asserted. “UNIMAID is more than a name— it embodies decades of distinction, perseverance, and service to the nation.”

As the university approaches its golden jubilee, ASUU maintained that erasing its name for political reasons threatens the legacy painstakingly built over generations. The union insisted academic institutions should not be subject to transient political interests.

ASUU further revealed that it is mobilizing its members—including congress, retired faculty, and the extended executive—to mount a comprehensive resistance.

“Our response will be decisive, resolute, and unwavering,” Dr. Saidu emphasized, while urging national debate and intellectual engagement ahead of broader consultations.

With debate intensifying across the country, ASUU UNIMAID called on Nigerians to stand against what it described as an alarming attempt to exchange academic identity for political recognition.

By Taiwo Olatinwo | July 20, 2025