In a move that has stirred mixed reactions across the country, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially announced the renaming of the University of Maiduguri to Muhammadu Buhari University Maiduguri, in honor of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The news was shared via a tweet by Imran Muhammad (@Imranmuhdz), which quickly went viral, sparking intense debate on social media. According to the announcement, the renaming is meant to recognize the former president's contributions to Nigeria, particularly in the northeastern region.
However, the decision has not sat well with many Nigerians. Critics argue that if an institution were to be renamed in honor of Buhari, it should have been a more prominent one — like the University of Lagos (UNILAG), given its national and global recognition.
Some reactions on social media include:
> “So Buhari gets a university in Maiduguri named after him? What happened to UNILAG? Or is it just easier to rename one in the North?”
— @tundewrites
“This is nothing but a political move. Buhari did more damage than good. Why honor him with such a prestigious institution?”
— @femibadmus
“Regardless of politics, Buhari was a two-time leader of Nigeria. Maybe this is about regional legacy rather than national.”
— @sade\_opeyemi
Supporters of the move, however, say that the University of Maiduguri is a fitting tribute, as Buhari had strong ties with the region during his administration, especially in the fight against Boko Haram and his investments in the northeast.
This is not the first time a federal institution has been renamed after a former president. Still, given Buhari’s controversial legacy — ranging from economic policies to human rights concerns — the decision is bound to remain divisive.
As the renaming becomes official, many are watching to see whether further honors will be extended to the late president, or if this is a one-off tribute by the Tinubu administration.
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