President Bola Tinubu has announced that the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) will now bear the name of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari. The former president, who passed away three days ago at the age of 82 in a London clinic after weeks of battling health complications, was laid to rest in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State, The funeral drew a host of dignitaries and public figures. Buhari had retired to Daura after completing his tenure and transferring power to President Tinubu in May.
The renaming of the university was disclosed during a special session of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) convened in Buhari's honour on Thursday. President Tinubu stated: "In honour of his memory, will the special session of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) adopt the renaming of the University of Maiduguri to Muhammadu Buhari University, Maiduguri.
Established in 1975, the institution will now officially be known as Muhammadu Buhari University, Maiduguri. However, legislative backing is still required, as the National Assembly is expected to amend the university’s enabling Act to reflect the name change.
Muhammadu Buhari served as Nigeria’s civilian president from 2015 to 2023, after previously leading the country as a military head of state from January 1984 to August 1985. He stepped down on May 29, 2023, having completed two constitutionally mandated terms in office.
The University of Maiduguri was one of the second-generation universities created under Nigeria’s Third National Development Plan (1975–1980) by the Federal Military Government. At its inception, the university lacked its own infrastructure, but in April 1976, it took over the facilities of the former North East College of Arts and Science (NECAS).
NECAS’s facilities, including office blocks, lecture halls, laboratories, staff quarters, and other essential structures, provided a solid foundation for the university’s operations. In addition, the NECAS personnel were absorbed into the university system, enabling the institution to commence academic activities in October 1976.
During its maiden academic year, the university admitted 743 students into three faculties: Arts and Education, Science, and Social Sciences & Law. By 1978, it expanded to six faculties with the addition of the Faculty of Agriculture and the separation of Law from Social Sciences, as well as Arts from Education.
Today, the university comprises a College of Medical Sciences, a School of Postgraduate Studies, and 12 faculties. These include Agriculture, Arts, Dentistry, Education, Engineering, Law, Management Sciences, Pharmacy, Science, Social Sciences, and Veterinary Medicine.
