President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced the renaming of the University of Maiduguri in honour of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, marking a historic and emotional gesture aimed at immortalising one of Nigeria’s most influential leaders.
Henceforth, the institution will be known as Muhammadu Buhari University, Maiduguri, according to the President, who made the announcement during a special session of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) held on Thursday.
In a moving address that left the FEC chamber in solemn silence, President Tinubu described the late Buhari as a leader who epitomised “discipline, integrity, and unwavering patriotism.” He acknowledged Buhari’s imperfections but emphasised that his values and quiet leadership remain benchmarks for public service in Nigeria.
“Not a perfect man—because no leader truly is—but a good, decent, and honourable one,” Tinubu said, as cabinet members, senior aides, and top government functionaries listened with rapt attention.
The President reflected on their shared political journey, which culminated in Nigeria’s first peaceful democratic transition in 2015. He credited Buhari with setting “a moral tone in governance rooted in transparency, justice, and quiet courage.”
“He stood ramrod, unmoved by the temptations of power, unseduced by applause, and unafraid of the loneliness that sometimes comes to those who choose to do what is right instead of what is popular,” Tinubu said.
The decision to rename the university holds particular significance for the Northeast region. It not only anchors Buhari’s name in the heart of Borno State, a region deeply affected by insurgency, but also honours the former president’s commitment to rebuilding and restoring peace in the area during his tenure.
Since the news of his death, tributes have poured in from across the country—from politicians and civil society organisations to everyday Nigerians—many of whom credited Buhari with maintaining a firm stance against corruption and steering Nigeria through some of its most difficult years.
The special FEC session ended with prayers and a minute of silence, as members reflected on the life and legacy of the late statesman.
Closing his remarks, President Tinubu declared:
“The incorruptible standard he represented will not be forgotten.”
The renaming of the university stands as both a tribute and a testament—ensuring that Muhammadu Buhari’s name, ideals, and sacrifice for the nation live on in the minds of generations to come.