President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially renamed the University of Maiduguri, Borno State, as the Muhammadu Buhari University, in honour of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away on July 13, 2025, at the age of 82.
The announcement was made during a special session of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) held on Thursday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, in tribute to the late leader. Tinubu, while proposing the renaming, said, “May we now adopt the University of Maiduguri as the Muhammadu Buhari University.”
Describing the late president as a symbol of integrity, patriotism, and humility, Tinubu said Buhari’s legacy would remain etched in Nigeria’s political and moral history. “President Buhari was not a perfect man—no leader is—but he was, in every sense of the word, a good man, a decent man, an honourable man,” Tinubu noted.
Reflecting on their political alliance and Buhari’s leadership style, Tinubu praised his quiet strength, resistance to corruption, and modesty. “He stood ramrod straight; unmoved by the temptations of power, unseduced by applause, and unafraid of the loneliness that often visits those who do what is right,” he said.
The president acknowledged that Buhari’s tenure, both as a military and civilian leader, was marked by discipline and a deep sense of service. “His was a quiet courage, a righteousness that never announced itself. His patriotism was lived more in action than in words,” Tinubu stated.
Recalling the pivotal 2015 elections which saw Buhari emerge as Nigeria’s first opposition candidate to defeat an incumbent president, Tinubu said, “We stood together… to form an alliance that enabled Nigeria to experience its first true democratic transfer of power from one ruling party to another.”
Tinubu also praised Buhari’s post-office humility, saying the former leader returned to his hometown, Daura, without interfering in governance. “He did not command from the shadows or seek to impose his will but chose to live as he always had—simply and contentedly.”
Concluding his tribute, Tinubu offered prayers for the late president: “Mai Gaskiya, the People’s General, the Farmer President, your duty is done. May Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him Aljannah Firdaus. May his life continue to inspire generations of Nigerians.”
The event also witnessed the commendation of the Inter-Ministerial Committee and Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, for organising a state burial within 48 hours of Buhari’s death. Tinubu described leading the funeral procession in Daura as “a profound honour.”
Late Muhammadu Buhari served as Nigeria’s president from 2015 to 2023 and had a distinguished career in public service, both in military and civilian roles.
