Two prominent Nigerian academics have backed the Federal Government’s decision to rename the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) after the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, describing it as a fitting tribute to his legacy of public service, discipline, and national development.

President Bola Tinubu had announced the renaming—now Muhammadu Buhari University, Maiduguri—during a special Federal Executive Council (FEC) session held in honour of the late president. The decision has since stirred national conversations, with supporters pointing to Buhari’s contributions, particularly in the areas of education and national security.

Dr. Ibrahim Sani Kaita, Deputy Registrar at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, described the move as a “well-deserved honour” and a symbolic reflection of Nigeria’s collective memory.

Kaita, in a statement from Abuja, noted that the late President Buhari played a significant role in the establishment of UNIMAID in 1975 when he served as the military governor of the then North Eastern State.

“At a time when educational infrastructure was scarce in the region, Buhari’s foresight and determination gave birth to an institution that would go on to serve millions,” he said. “Naming the university after him is, therefore, not just a symbolic act—it is an affirmation of history and an expression of Nigeria’s gratitude.”

Kaita said that Buhari’s legacy extended beyond politics into the very fabric of Nigerian life.

He commended the dignified state burial and national tributes paid to Buhari, which, he said, reflected the high regard in which he was held both at home and abroad.

Also speaking in support of the move, Professor Gbade Ojo, a professor of Comparative Politics at the University of Ilorin and former Chief of Staff to the late Governor Abiola Ajimobi, said there was nothing inappropriate in immortalising a former president by naming a federal institution after him.

“The Federal Government owns the university and it can name it after any deserving Nigerian,” Ojo said in an interview with The Guardian in Ibadan. “Buhari was a former president. There is nothing wrong in immortalising him by naming a university after him.”

Ojo noted that such honours help to preserve the legacy of national leaders and serve as a reminder of their service to the country.

Dr. Kaita also praised Katsina State Governor Dikko Umar Radda for his exemplary leadership during the mourning period, calling his support for the Buhari family “a reflection of compassion and connection with the people.”

Both academics agreed that renaming UNIMAID sends a strong message about visionary leadership and the power of education to sustain legacies.

“Buhari’s dream for the North-East is still alive,” Kaita stated. “Through Muhammadu Buhari University, his vision will continue to inspire students, support communities, and light the path for future generations.”

They added that the gesture by President Tinubu not only honours a man but reaffirms Nigeria’s belief in education, unity, and national service as foundations for building a stronger, more enduring nation.