President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced that the University of Maiduguri will be renamed Muhammadu Buhari University, Maiduguri, in honour of the late former President, who passed away at the age of 82. The announcement came during a special Federal Executive Council session held in Abuja, where Tinubu paid glowing tribute to Buhari’s life and leadership.
Describing Buhari as a man of honour, restraint, and unwavering integrity, Tinubu said the former President was not perfect but remained an upright and principled leader. He praised Buhari’s moral courage and his resistance to the corrupting temptations of power, saying the late leader “stood ramrod—unmoved by applause, unseduced by power, and unafraid of doing what was right even when unpopular.”
The President recalled their political alliance that led to the historic democratic handover of power in 2015, noting Buhari’s calm and dignified leadership during the transition. He said Buhari lived his patriotism through actions rather than words and never sought attention for his righteousness.
Tinubu acknowledged that every legacy will be debated, but maintained that Buhari’s example of transparency, moral discipline, and incorruptibility should serve as a guide for future leaders. The solemn session ended with a moment of silence and prayers, as tributes poured in from across the nation—from political figures to civil society and everyday Nigerians.
Renaming the university, Tinubu said, is a symbolic gesture that connects Buhari’s legacy with a region deeply impacted by insurgency—one where his administration focused on recovery and rebuilding. He closed his tribute by declaring that the incorruptible standard Buhari stood for will endure in Nigeria’s memory.
