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ASUU UNIMAID Kicks Against Renaming Varsity After Buhari, Calls Move “Provocative and Offensive”

MAIDUGURI — The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Maiduguri chapter, has strongly rejected the Federal Government’s decision to rename the institution after former President Muhammadu Buhari, describing the move as “provocative, unacceptable, and deeply offensive.”

Speaking to journalists in Maiduguri on Wednesday after a congress meeting, UNIMAID ASUU chairman, Dr. Abubakar Mshelia Saidu, condemned the decision, warning that it undermines the values of academic freedom, institutional integrity, and democratic governance.

“Not Just a Name, But an Identity”

According to Dr. Saidu, the University of Maiduguri is more than a mere label—it represents decades of scholarship, sacrifice, and service to the Northeast and Nigeria as a whole.

“The name University of Maiduguri is not just a tag; it is an identity. To erase that legacy without consultation is to insult the very soul of this institution,” he declared.

The ASUU chairman noted that the government failed to consult with critical stakeholders, including the governing council, lecturers, students, alumni, and the host community, before announcing the change.

A Recipe for Division

Dr. Saidu further argued that unilateral decisions of this nature disregard university autonomy and could ignite unnecessary tension.

“Such a move is not only undemocratic but a recipe for disaster. Universities are not playthings for political patronage,” he said.

The union stressed that while it respects the contributions of past leaders, the government must not impose symbolic changes that undermine the institution’s history and its bond with the people of the Northeast.

ASUU’s stance signals a brewing confrontation between the Federal Government and the academic community, as the renaming of one of Nigeria’s most prominent universities continues to stir outrage across stakeholders.

By Haruna Yakubu Haruna