President Bola Tinubu has announced the renaming of the University of Maiduguri in honour of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The announcement was made on Thursday during a special Federal Executive Council (FEC) session held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, in tribute to Buhari, who died on Sunday at the age of 82.
In his address, President Tinubu described Buhari as a man of “discipline, moral fortitude and unwavering patriotism.”
He acknowledged that while Buhari was not a perfect man, he was “a good, decent and honourable man,” whose influence on Nigeria’s governance and political stability would not be forgotten.
“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 popular,” Tinubu said.
The president reflected on their political partnership which led to the 2015 election that brought Buhari to power and marked the first peaceful transfer of power from one party to another in Nigeria’s history.
Tinubu described Buhari’s leadership during that time as restrained and dignified, adding that he bore the burdens of office “without complaint.”
The renaming of the university is a symbolic tribute to Buhari’s legacy in the northeast, a region heavily affected by insurgency during his time in office.
His administration focused on military intervention, humanitarian aid and infrastructure development in the region.
Buhari was a former military ruler, a two-term civilian president and was known for his anti-corruption stance and efforts to instill fiscal discipline in public service.
He was also a prominent figure in Nigeria’s political landscape for over four decades.
The FEC session ended with prayers and a moment of silence.
The renaming of the university adds to a growing list of initiatives being considered by the federal government to memorialise the former president’s life and public service.
The institution will now be known as Muhammadu Buhari University, Maiduguri.
