Reactions divided over renaming of UNIMAID after Buhari

The Federal Government’s decision to rename the University of Maiduguri in honour of former President Muhammadu Buhari has drawn varied reactions from Nigerians, including current and former students of the university.

President Bola Tinubu announced the name change on Thursday, July 17, during a Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held in Abuja, which included tributes celebrating the late president’s life and service to Nigeria.

According to the presidency, the renaming recognises the former leader’s “contribution to national security, cohesion, and discipline.” However, some critics argue that Buhari’s impact on education was limited during his eight years as an elected president.

During Buhari’s administration, Nigerian universities experienced some of the longest strikes in the nation’s history, including a nine-month shutdown in 2020 and another lasting eight months in 2022.

Buhari also faced criticism for failing to engage constructively with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) or implement policies that favoured the education sector.

The union staged strikes for at least 669 days between 2015 and 2023 during his tenure, citing unmet promises and agreements as reasons for the recurring industrial actions.

This period marked the longest total number of strike days recorded under any Nigerian president since the country’s return to democratic rule in May 1999.

Another concern was the inadequate funding of education, as Buhari’s administration did not allocate up to 10 per cent of the national budget to the sector. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) recommends that nations dedicate between 15 and 20 per cent of their budgets to education.

The Federal Government’s budgetary allocation to education fell from 7.93 per cent in 2016 to just 4.95 per cent in 2023.

Attempts to rename Nigerian tertiary institutions have frequently been met with controversy.

In 2012, former President Goodluck Jonathan’s effort to rename the University of Lagos (UNILAG) after MKO Abiola faced significant public opposition and was eventually reversed.

In a twist of irony, Tinubu, who had previously objected to the renaming of UNILAG, now faces accusations of inconsistency.

Tinubu has also renamed the University of Abuja after former military Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, a decision which prompted protests from both current and former students.

Likewise, the decision by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde to rename The Polytechnic Ibadan after the late Governor Omololu Olunloyo has sparked ongoing tension.

In 2003, after the death of Rufus Giwa, President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, then Governor Olusegun Agagu of Ondo State renamed the state polytechnic after him.

Although the renaming was protested at the time, the institution eventually retained the new name.

Many Nigerians have rejected the renaming of the University of Maiduguri, claiming it is politically motivated and that Buhari does not merit such an honour, especially given the perceived neglect of public education during his administration.

Critics have highlighted the prolonged ASUU strikes during Buhari’s time in office, stating that federal universities were closed for a cumulative period exceeding 600 days—an indication that education was not prioritised.

An X user, Ohijeme, condemned the decision, saying Buhari “did not significantly contribute to the education sector, nor did he initiate major school renovation projects (sic).”

The same user suggested that Tinubu’s renaming effort was a “desperate attempt to curry favour with the North.”

Another user, Jude, also disapproved of the development. “It is not a welcome development. As alumni, we have core values and respect for the name UNIMAID. Renaming it is heartbreaking, and we reject it.”

Some have further argued that naming a university in Maiduguri after Buhari is misplaced, given that it is not his hometown. They believe that a better option would be to rename an institution in Katsina State, where Buhari hails from, or to dedicate a non-academic institution, such as a hospital or public facility, in his honour.

Meanwhile, other Nigerians have praised the Federal Government’s action, viewing it as a commendable gesture recognising Buhari’s contributions to the Northeast and his efforts in combating Boko Haram.

They consider the renaming a fitting tribute to Buhari’s legacy in restoring security in Borno State after years of insurgent violence.

Boko Haram, a radical Islamist group, originated in Nigeria’s Northeast in the early 2000s. The group became widely known for its violent extremism and its objective of establishing an Islamic state. The conflict intensified significantly around 2009, resulting in large-scale loss of life, displacement, and humanitarian crises across countries around Lake Chad, including Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, and Niger.