The Federal Ministry of Education has explained that the decision to rename the University of Maiduguri in honour of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari was in recognition of his lifelong dedication to advancing education and national development. This clarification was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Folasade Boriowo.
According to the statement, the renaming of the institution to Muhammadu Buhari University of Maiduguri was approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during a specially convened session of the Federal Executive Council. The session was held in honour of the late Nigerian leader, who was widely acknowledged for his efforts in improving national security, strengthening institutional frameworks, driving economic recovery, and maintaining a staunch anti-corruption stance throughout his administration.
The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, CON, while conveying the Ministry’s appreciation, commended President Tinubu for what he described as a “statesmanlike decision” to immortalise Buhari by renaming one of Nigeria’s foremost federal universities in the North-East. The Minister noted that the decision to use the education sector as a platform for this national recognition demonstrates President Tinubu’s belief in the transformative power of education and its central role in the country’s development journey.
The announcement was made during an expanded Federal Executive Council meeting that saw the attendance of prominent dignitaries, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, state governors, federal ministers, and the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation. The President opened the session with a deeply emotional tribute, recounting Buhari’s life of service and leadership, particularly during his time as a military Head of State and later as a democratically elected President.
In a moving moment during the session, Yusuf Buhari, son of the late President, delivered a brief but heartfelt message on behalf of the Buhari family, expressing gratitude for the national honour and for the recognition of his father’s enduring legacy.
The Ministry of Education further highlighted Buhari’s administration’s numerous contributions to human capital development, citing initiatives such as the Treasury Single Account (TSA), the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme, the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), and multiple social investment schemes. These policies, the statement noted, were aimed at reducing poverty, encouraging self-reliance, and expanding educational and economic opportunities for millions of Nigerians.
Dr. Alausa emphasised that the renaming of the university is a symbolic act that speaks to the values of excellence, discipline, and public service that Buhari embodied. He also stressed that President Tinubu’s gesture reflects a shared commitment to nation-building and to sustaining a vision for education as a foundation for progress, unity, and national renewal.
The Ministry assured Nigerians of its continued dedication to upholding the principles that both President Tinubu and the late President Buhari have championed—especially in ensuring that education remains a key driver of sustainable development and a pillar of national identity.
