The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Maiduguri chapter, has rejected the Federal Government’s decision to rename the institution after late former President Muhammadu Buhari.
In a statement issued after an emergency congress held on July 24, 2025, the union described the move as unacceptable and announced plans to take legal action.
The meeting, which included lecturers, student union leaders, and other key members of the university community, ended with a unanimous resolution demanding an immediate reversal of the name change.
ASUU-UNIMAID said renaming the university after 50 years of existence was done without proper consultation and violates the institution’s autonomy, tradition, and identity.
“This decision is not only arbitrary but also disregards the opinions of staff, students, alumni, and other stakeholders,” the union said. “We see it as an attempt to erase the heritage of the university community.”
The union also described the move as politically motivated and lacking in transparency. It warned that the name change could set a dangerous precedent for how public institutions are governed.
ASUU has now directed its leadership to explore all legal options to challenge the renaming in court. It also called on the national ASUU body, other branches, and civil society groups to resist any move by the National Assembly to formalize the change.
“The integrity and independence of public universities must be respected,” the statement added. “We stand firm in defending UNIMAID’s name and legacy.”
