President Bola Tinubu on Thursday announced that the University of Maiduguri will now be known as Muhammadu Buhari University, Maiduguri, in honour of the late former President, Muhammadu Buhari.
News360 Info reports that the announcement was made during a special Federal Executive Council (FEC) session held in Abuja to pay tribute to Buhari, who passed away in London on Sunday, July 13, 2025, following a brief illness.
Speaking at the session, President Tinubu paid glowing tribute to the former leader, describing him as a man of “discipline, moral fortitude, and unwavering patriotism.”
“President Muhammadu Buhari was not a perfect man, no leader is, but he was a good man, a decent man, and an honourable man,” Tinubu declared before a solemn gathering of cabinet ministers, senior officials, and aides.
He noted that Buhari’s record, like those of all public figures, would be subject to scrutiny, but insisted that his “moral force, incorruptible standard, and character will not be forgotten.”
President Tinubu described Buhari’s leadership as austere and honourable, emphasising his restraint in office and refusal to be swayed by political applause or pressure.
“He stood always ramrod, unmoved by the temptation of power, unseduced by applause, and unafraid of the loneliness that sometimes comes to those who do what is right rather than what is popular,” Tinubu said.
According to the President, Buhari set a moral tone for governance, one grounded in “transparency, justice, and quiet courage.”
Tinubu also reflected on his political alliance with Buhari, which, along with contributions from other leaders across Nigeria’s political spectrum, led to the historic 2015 transition, Nigeria’s first peaceful democratic transfer of power from one ruling party to another.
He commended Buhari’s calm and composed leadership during that period, saying, “He bore the burdens of office without complaint.”
President Tinubu said the renaming of the University of Maiduguri to Muhammadu Buhari University is a lasting tribute that captures both symbolism and significance.
He noted that the institution is situated in a region that bore the brunt of insurgency—a region where Buhari’s administration has invested heavily in security, recovery, and reconstruction.
“The renaming of the university is not just symbolic. It anchors his legacy in a region where he fought to restore hope and rebuild lives,” Tinubu said.
While acknowledging that every legacy will have its critics, Tinubu urged Nigerians to remember Buhari’s steadfast commitment to national service.
He added, “His patriotism was lived more in action than in words. He set a benchmark of integrity and discipline that must remain a reference point for future generations.”
The special FEC session concluded with prayers and a moment of silence in honour of the former President. Across the country, tributes continued to pour in from civil society, religious leaders, and ordinary citizens alike.
