By Our Reporter
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – Members of the Concerned UNIMAID Alumni Association and Friends of UNIMAID have unleashed fierce condemnation against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent announcement to rename the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) after the late former President Muhammadu Buhari.
In a powerful joint statement released on the X handlevl of Theo Abu @TheoAbuAgads on Thursday, the group rejected the move outrightly, describing it as a political stunt that disrespects decades of academic excellence, resilience, and legacy built by the institution since its founding in 1975.
The statement was signed by the Concerned UNIMAID Alumni Association and Friends of UNIMAID, signaling a united front determined to protect the university’s identity from political interference.
They emphasized UNIMAID’s unique role as a beacon of learning and intellectual growth in Nigeria’s Northeast, having survived insurgency and economic turmoil to nurture generations of leaders and professionals.
“The renaming undermines the hard-earned identity and historical significance of this prestigious citadel of learning,” the alumni warned. While acknowledging Buhari’s contributions to Nigeria, they argued that honoring him through renaming an established institution is misguided and disrespectful.
Instead, they proposed alternative tributes like establishing new universities, research centers, or monuments in Buhari’s name to preserve both his legacy and UNIMAID’s heritage.
The alumni recalled the 2012 controversy when former President Goodluck Jonathan’s attempt to rename the University of Lagos after Chief MKO Abiola sparked widespread protests and was ultimately reversed—arguing that if the Southwest rejected a similar move for their hero, the Northeast has every right to reject this “Greek gift” forced upon UNIMAID.
They called on President Tinubu to reconsider and engage in broad consultations with all stakeholders—alumni, students, faculty, and the local community—warning that UNIMAID’s name represents more than politics; it symbolizes transformation, innovation, and hope for countless Nigerians.
It reads in full:
Statement by Concerned UNIMAID Alumni Association/Friends of UNIMAID Rejecting the Renaming of the University of Maiduguri after Late President Muhammadu Buhari.
We, the members of the Concerned UNIMAID Alumni Association/Friends of UNIMAID, unequivocally reject the recent announcement by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to rename the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) after the late former President Muhammadu Buhari.
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. Established in 1975, it has weathered numerous challenges, including insurgency and economic hardships, to produce generations of leaders, scholars, and professionals who have contributed immensely to national development.
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.
While we acknowledge the contributions of the late President Buhari to Nigeria, 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.
UNIMAID’s slogan, “If you want to be made, enter UNIMAID,” encapsulates its transformative essence and has become a rallying cry for aspiring students nationwide. Altering the name would dilute this iconic tag, which symbolizes the university’s role in molding character, championing innovation, and building futures, attributes that should remain untarnished by political expediency.
We draw parallels to a similar attempt in 2012 when former President Goodluck Jonathan sought to rename the University of Lagos (UNILAG) after the late Chief MKO Abiola, the hero of the June 12 struggle.
Southwesterners, including students, alumni, and the public, vehemently rejected this move, leading to widespread protests and its eventual reversal.
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. Our opposition is not a dismissal of Buhari’s achievements but a defense of institutional autonomy and cultural preservation.
We call on President Tinubu to reconsider this decision and engage in consultations with stakeholders, including alumni, students, faculty, and the host community. UNIMAID belongs to all Nigerians, and its name should reflect its enduring legacy, not fleeting political alliances.
Signed:
Concerned UNIMAID Alumni Association/Friends of UNIMAID
