The University of Maiduguri chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities has said it will sue the Federal Government for renaming the institution after late former President Muhammadu Buhari.
In a statement on Friday, the union said the decision was made during an emergency congress on July 24, 2025. The meeting was attended by lecturers, student union leaders and other key stakeholders.
The union said it would take legal steps to stop the name change and keep the university’s identity.
“Following extensive discussions, the congress unanimously resolved to vehemently reject and strongly condemn the decision to rename the University of Maiduguri to Muhammadu Buhari University, Maiduguri,” the statement read.
It was signed by the union’s Chairperson, Abubakar Mshelia, and Assistant Secretary, Peter Teri.
ASUU said the change was made without involving the university community and called it an attack on its history and independence.
“The union views any attempt to rename the University of Maiduguri — after 50 years of esteemed existence — as a flagrant disregard for university autonomy, a disruption of cherished academic traditions, and a direct affront to the collective heritage and identity of the university community,” the union said.
It added that the decision was “ill-conceived, arbitrary, and devoid of meaningful consultation with the university community, alumni, relevant stakeholders, and the general public.”
Describing it as a troubling pattern of ignoring proper procedures, the union said its executive committee had been directed to “explore all available legal avenues to challenge the renaming decision and ensure that the university’s original identity is preserved.”
The union also urged other ASUU chapters, student groups, civil society organisations, and lawmakers to speak out against the name change.
It added, “The union demands that the autonomy and integrity of public universities must be upheld without political interference.”
