ASUU Condemns Federal Government’s Decision to Rename UNIMAID After Buhari
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) has expressed strong disapproval of the Federal Government’s recent decision to rename the institution in honor of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
In a statement released on Sunday, ASUU’s UNIMAID chapter, led by Chairperson Dr. Abubakar Mshelia Saidu, described the renaming as a “politically motivated” act that undermines the university’s legacy and integrity.
The announcement came during a special Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on July 17, convened to honor the late ex-President Buhari.
Dr. Saidu emphasized that renaming the university diminishes UNIMAID’s history of academic excellence and resilience. “This action is not merely shocking; it desecrates the sanctity of our alma mater,” he stated, urging the need to preserve the institution’s rich heritage as it approaches its 50th anniversary.
ASUU has mobilized its members and alumni to resist the name change, asserting that political agendas should not overshadow the nation’s educational values.
“The response of the union will be unequivocal, forceful, and commanding,” Dr. Saidu warned, calling on public intellectuals and citizens to join the movement against what they term a “dangerous precedent” that favors political patronage over academic pride.