I write this letter as a concerned student of the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID), with the intention of expressing a respectful but heartfelt appeal against the recent proposal to rename the University of Maiduguri to Muhammadu Buhari University.
While I acknowledge the legacy of the former President Muhammadu Buhari, whose contributions to Nigeria are recognized and respected, renaming UNIMAID does not reflect the desires of many stakeholders — especially the students, alumni, and communities who have built strong emotional and intellectual ties to this great institution.
The University of Maiduguri represents more than a name. It is a beacon of hope, resilience, and academic strength in the North-East. In the face of Boko Haram insurgency and repeated threats to education in the region, the university stood strong, symbolizing the power of education to overcome terror and despair. Changing its name now feels like erasing part of that resilient legacy.
For nearly five decades, UNIMAID has produced thousands of professionals, including leaders, intellectuals, and public servants across Nigeria and beyond. The name carries a historic and emotional weight — both nationally and internationally — and to replace it would mean disconnecting from a proud identity that students and graduates hold dear.
I respectfully suggest that rather than renaming UNIMAID, the Federal Government should consider other equally honorable alternatives to immortalize President Buhari’s name. Institutions such as the Federal University of Transportation in Daura or the Nigerian Army University in Biu would be more symbolically aligned with his legacy — both as a former Head of State and as a figure closely tied to security and infrastructure.
This appeal is not politically motivated. It is a sincere call to preserve history and respect the voice of a community that has suffered, endured, and risen above decades of insecurity. Let us honour both President Buhari’s contributions and the enduring soul of the University of Maiduguri — without sacrificing the identity of either.
IBRAHIM ISMA’IL
Department of masscommunication university Maiduguri
