President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially renamed the University of Maiduguri in Borno State as Muhammadu Buhari University, a tribute to his predecessor, the late President Muhammadu Buhari. The decision came as part of a broader national recognition of Buhari’s decades-long service to Nigeria and his influence on public life.

This renaming was disclosed by Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, through a statement posted on his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Thursday, July 17, 2025. The announcement aligns with ongoing national mourning in memory of the late former president, who passed away on July 13, 2025, in London after a prolonged illness.

Federal Government Declares Public Holiday and Mourning

As a mark of respect, the Federal Government earlier declared Tuesday, July 15, 2025, as a public holiday in honor of Buhari. This announcement followed a seven-day national mourning period declared by President Tinubu. As part of these commemorative actions, national flags are to be flown at half-mast across the country from Sunday, July 13 to Saturday, July 19.

The mourning period saw somber tributes from citizens and leaders alike. The Federal Executive Council (FEC) also convened to pay homage to Buhari’s life and legacy, during which the renaming of the university was formally adopted.

Tinubu Pays Tribute to Buhari’s Character and Legacy

During the commemorative session, President Tinubu led a heartfelt tribute to the late Buhari, reflecting on the personal and public qualities that defined his leadership.

He said:

“Yet it was in the quiet and unadorned settings of his private life that his true greatness was revealed: pious without show, just without cruelty, humane without sentimentality, temperate without coldness, and sincere without guile.”

Tinubu went on to describe Buhari as a man whose presence naturally commanded respect and whose moral compass provided a guide for others.

“His example guided all who encountered him. Still, it endures… To those whom he loved most intimately, he was unfailingly tender, loyal, and good. His life was a rebuke to vice and a refuge for virtue.”

The president emphasized that the renaming of the university stands not only as a symbolic act but also as a lasting institutional tribute to Buhari’s life-long commitment to national development and integrity.

Buhari’s Journey: From Military Ruler to Democratic Leader

Muhammadu Buhari’s public service journey began in the 1980s when he served as Nigeria’s military head of state from 1983 to 1985. Decades later, in a democratic rebirth, he won the 2015 presidential election, becoming the first opposition candidate to unseat an incumbent president through the ballot box—defeating then-President Goodluck Jonathan.

He went on to secure re-election in 2019 and served until 2023. Buhari’s presidency was deeply rooted in anti-corruption messaging, security sector reforms, and a pledge to restore discipline in governance. However, his administration also faced widespread criticisms over the handling of the economy, human rights issues, and his frequent extended stays abroad for medical treatment.

Despite these challenges, many of his supporters hailed his dedication to national unity and personal austerity, qualities they believe are rare in Nigerian leadership. Buhari stepped down peacefully in 2023, handing over power to President Tinubu, an event that marked a continuation of democratic succession in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic.

Final Days and State Burial

The late president had been largely absent from public engagements following his exit from office due to declining health. He died in London at the age of 82, prompting a cascade of national and international condolences.

His remains were flown back to Nigeria and interred in Daura, Katsina State, his hometown, with full state honors. The burial drew attendance from dignitaries, politicians, former heads of state, diplomats, and ordinary Nigerians, all paying their last respects to a man who shaped Nigerian history over four decades.

A University Renamed in the Heart of the Northeast

The University of Maiduguri, now Muhammadu Buhari University, holds particular symbolic significance. Located in Borno State—an epicenter of the Boko Haram insurgency—its renaming is seen as a nod to Buhari’s military and civilian commitment to restoring security in Nigeria’s northeastern region.

During his tenure, Buhari had prioritized the fight against terrorism, deploying additional forces and approving infrastructure reconstruction projects across conflict-affected areas in the region. While security remains a challenge, Buhari’s legacy in Borno is intertwined with resilience, rebuilding, and the federal presence his administration extended to the Northeast.

Public Reactions and National Impact

Nigerians have responded to the renaming with mixed emotions. Supporters see it as a fitting gesture to immortalize Buhari’s contributions, especially in northern Nigeria. Others, however, have expressed concerns about whether his leadership record—particularly on issues like press freedom, economic growth, and civil rights—merits such institutional honors.

Nonetheless, analysts point out that naming public institutions after former leaders is a common practice in Nigeria, often used to preserve historical memory and national identity.

The renamed institution now joins a list of federal assets bearing the names of past leaders, such as the Obasanjo Library, the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, and Ahmadu Bello University. In this context, the new Muhammadu Buhari University may serve both as a monument to leadership ideals and a prompt for future generations to evaluate the legacies of those who once held Nigeria’s highest office.

Conclusion

As Nigeria continues to reflect on Buhari’s era, the renaming of a major university in his honor underscores the country’s effort to enshrine his name in its academic and historical landscape. The move by President Tinubu not only signals national respect for a predecessor but also reaffirms Nigeria’s tradition of honoring leaders whose impact—whether praised or contested—has indelibly shaped the nation’s story.

More broadly, the decision serves as a reminder of the weight of public service and the enduring quest to define leadership not just by power, but by principle.