President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has renamed the University of Maiduguri in Borno State to Muhammadu Buhari University, in honour of the late former president.
The announcement was made during an emotional, expanded Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday. The gathering brought together ministers, dignitaries, and family members to pay tribute to President Muhammadu Buhari, who died in London on July 13 after a long illness.
As the meeting drew to a close, President Tinubu made the historic proposal:
“Before we take the prayers — in honour of his memory, with this special session of the Federal Executive Council (expanded) — can we adopt the naming of the University of Maiduguri with a new name — Muhammadu Buhari University, Maiduguri,” Tinubu said.
The room responded with applause as former ministers who served under Buhari and his son, Yusuf, looked on.
Remembering Buhari’s Legacy
In his tribute, President Tinubu described Buhari as a quiet but deeply principled man — someone whose character and values shaped the course of Nigerian politics.
“His life was a rebuke to vice and a refuge for virtue,” Tinubu said. “The purity of his private character gave radiance to the discipline and integrity of his public service.”
Tinubu spoke of Buhari’s humility and calm nature — a man of “dignity, loyalty, and tenderness,” who led with conviction, not noise.
A President and a Patriot
Buhari first served as Nigeria’s military head of state from 1983 to 1985, and later returned as a civilian president from 2015 to 2023. In Both eras, he was known for his stance for anti-corruption and commitment to national unity.
His death on July 13 marked the end of a remarkable chapter in Nigerian history. He was buried on Tuesday in a solemn ceremony attended by leaders from across Africa and beyond.
Why the Renaming Matters
The University of Maiduguri has been a major center for learning in the Northeast, and renaming it in Buhari’s honour is seen as a powerful symbol — especially in a region he championed during his time in office.
To many, this is more than a name change. It’s a lasting tribute to a man who shaped modern Nigeria, both through his leadership and his quiet personal example.