Barrister Hamza Dantini Esq, has called on the president Ahmed Tinubu to further engage various stakeholder on the renaming of University of Maiduguri.
The call by the Human rights activist is coming on the heel of the threat by the University Alumus to challenge the renaming of the University after the late president Buhari.
President Tinubu on July 17, 2025, just days after the demise of former President Muhammadu Buhari at a special session of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) , announced that the University of Maiduguri would henceforth be known as “Muhammadu Buhari University, Maiduguri.
Hamza said that ” While I believe that this announcement was no doubt intended as a gesture of national honour and presidential goodwill, the decision has ignited considerable public discourse, and justifiably so”
“As a proud alumnus of the University of Maiduguri, a practicing lawyer, constitutional Lawyer, and human rights advocate, I write not to question the motives behind the renaming, nor to challenge the legacy of the late President Buhari, whom I deeply respected. Instead, I write to underscore the importance of consultation, institutional autonomy, and public consensus in decisions that affect national heritage, regional identity, and educational integrity”
Founded in 1975 under the Federal Military Government’s Third National Development Plan (1975–1980), the University of Maiduguri was conceived as one of the country’s second-generation universities. Over the past 50 years, it has grown into a prestigious learning center, producing generations of scholars, professionals, politicians, and citizens who have contributed immensely to Nigeria’s development and in the diaspora.
The Constitutional further stated that “More than an academic institution, the University of Maiduguri has become a symbol of resilience in a region long beset by insurgency. It stands tall as a beacon of enlightenment and hope in the Northeast, commanding respect across Nigeria and Africa. Its name is more than a geographical marker; it is a cultural and intellectual brand, intertwined with the identity of Maiduguri, Borno State, and the country”.
“This reminds me of a saying, “If you want to made, come to Unimaid.” This slogan conveys that the university is where students can be transformed, molded, and developed into their best selves. It emphasizes UNIMAID’s role as a center for intellectual growth, social awakening, and purposeful direction”
“There is no doubt that President Tinubu acted in good faith by seeking to immortalize the late President Buhari, a former head of state, retired minister, military general, and two-time democratically elected president. President Buhari’s place in history is secure, and no one can dispute the depth of his public service”
“However, even the best intentions must be matched with the process. Renaming a historic institution like the University of Maiduguri should not be done unilaterally, however noble the motive. It is not simply a government asset to be rebranded at will; it is a legacy of the people; of its alums, students, faculty, host community, and indeed, all Nigerians who associate the name with decades of academic excellence”
“The decision to rename the University without consulting its stakeholders, including the University’s Governing Council, Academic Staff Union of Universities, University of Maiduguri chapter, alum associations, students, and the broader public, undermines the principles of participatory governance. In a democracy, such symbolic gestures should not be top-down impositions but outcomes of inclusive dialogue”
“President Tinubu needs only look to recent history for guidance. In May 2012, former President Goodluck Jonathan renamed the University of Lagos to “Moshood Abiola University, Lagos”, in honour of the late democratic icon. The backlash was swift and widespread: protests erupted across Lagos and beyond, lawsuits were filed, and alums voiced their strong disapproval. Eventually, President Jonathan rescinded the decision, recognising that honouring a hero should not come at the expense of an institution’s identity and public trust”
“President Tinubu should borrow a leaf from that chapter. Listening to the people is not a sign of political weakness but one of democratic strength. Leadership entails not just making decisions, but also reflecting, reassessing, and responding to the sentiments of the governed”
“It is important to emphasize that renaming the University of Maiduguri is not neutral; it risks erasing a name with historical, cultural, and regional significance. For the people of Borno State, the University is not just a centre of learning but a monument of pride, endurance, and identity. To alter its name is to tamper with 50 years of history and memory”
Continue he said that ” this act risks setting a dangerous precedent of political rebranding of national institutions without due process. It could be interpreted as political patronage and trading institutional heritage for political symbolism. Surely, that is not the legacy President Buhari would have wanted, nor the standard President Tinubu should uphold”
“Let it also be noted that President Muhammadu Buhari has already been fittingly honoured in Borno State and beyond. Notable landmarks and institutions already bear his name in Borno state, including”
* General Muhammadu Buhari International Airport, Maiduguri
* Muhammadu Buhari Trauma Centre, Maiduguri
* Muhammadu Buhari Academy, Maiduguri
* The Senate Building at the University of Maiduguri
These are significant and lasting tributes. The idea that further honouring requires erasing the name “University of Maiduguri” is unnecessary and diminishes the many ways he has already been celebrated”
“The matter is not whether President Buhari deserves to be honoured; he does. The question is how he should be honoured and at what cost. Creating a new institution and naming it after him or selecting one that has not already attained iconic national status, like the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID), would be more appropriate and less controversial”
” I therefore call on President Tinubu to suspend and ultimately reverse the renaming of the University of Maiduguri. He should initiate broad consultations with the university community, Borno stakeholders, and Nigerians. He should learn from history and act in the spirit of democracy and respect for institutional legacy.”
“Ultimately, governance is not just about power but about trust, responsibility, and fidelity to the people’s voices. The mark of a true leader lies not in always insisting on being right but in listening, learning, and correcting course when necessary”
“Reversing this decision would not diminish President Tinubu’s stature. On the contrary, it would elevate it”
