The University of Maiduguri chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has vowed to challenge in court the Federal Government’s decision to rename the institution after the late former President Muhammadu Buhari.
In a statement released on Friday, ASUU-UNIMAID described the renaming move as “ill-conceived, arbitrary, and a violation of university autonomy.” The strongly-worded statement was jointly signed by the branch Chairperson, Dr. Abubakar Mshelia, and Assistant Secretary, Dr. Peter Teri, following an emergency congress held on July 24, 2025.
The congress, attended by union members, student representatives, and key stakeholders, unanimously rejected the name change, declaring it a disruption of the university’s long-standing identity and a disregard for due process.
“Congress views any attempt to rename the University of Maiduguri — after 50 years of esteemed existence — as a flagrant disregard for university autonomy, a disruption of cherished academic traditions, and a direct affront to the collective heritage of the university community,” the statement read.
ASUU-UNIMAID further asserted that the decision was made without meaningful consultation with the university community, alumni, or other relevant stakeholders. The union insisted that such a move undermines the foundational principles of academic governance and sets a worrying precedent of political interference in higher education.
The ASUU branch said it has mandated its executive committee to pursue all available legal options to ensure that the university’s original name is preserved. It also urged the ASUU national body, other chapters, civil society groups, students, and members of the public to resist any legislative efforts to ratify the renaming.
“The union demands that the autonomy and integrity of public universities must be upheld without political interference,” the statement concluded.
The renaming of the University of Maiduguri has sparked widespread reactions across academic and civic circles, with many questioning the rationale and timing of the decision.
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