President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially approved the renaming of the University of Maiduguri in Borno State to Muhammadu Buhari University, in tribute to the late former president.
The announcement was made during the conclusion of a special session of the Federal Executive Council held at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday. The session was convened to honour the memory and legacy of Muhammadu Buhari.
"Let us henceforth recognise the University of Maiduguri as Muhammadu Buhari University," President Tinubu declared, marking a significant gesture of national reverence.
Earlier in his address, President Tinubu delivered a heartfelt eulogy, portraying Buhari as a man of integrity, moral fortitude, and unwavering dedication to the nation. “He was not a flawless man—no leader is—but he was, in every meaningful sense, a good man, a principled man, and a man of honour,” Tinubu said.
He acknowledged that Buhari’s legacy, like all legacies, would be subject to scrutiny and debate. However, he stressed that the former president’s character, his incorruptibility, and his steadfast adherence to ethical governance would remain enduring hallmarks of his public service.
“His legacy is one of service—uncompromising, sincere, and devoted to the Nigerian state and to God,” Tinubu stated.
Reflecting on Buhari’s tenure in both military and civilian capacities, Tinubu commended the former leader’s modesty, humility, and resistance to the allure of power. “He stood with resolute discipline, impervious to the seduction of authority, untouched by the pursuit of popularity, and unshaken by the isolation that often befalls those who choose principle over praise,” he said.
He described Buhari’s moral courage as quiet yet unwavering—expressed more in deeds than in rhetoric.
President Tinubu also recalled their political partnership, particularly their collaboration that led to the watershed moment in 2015 when Nigeria witnessed its first peaceful democratic transition of power from one ruling party to another.
“We stood united—he and I—alongside other patriots from diverse political, ethnic, and linguistic backgrounds. Together, we forged an alliance that enabled Nigeria’s historic shift toward democratic maturity,” he noted.
Upon Buhari’s departure from office, Tinubu praised the former president’s graceful exit from public life. Rather than seeking influence from behind the scenes, Buhari returned to his hometown of Daura, embracing a life of quiet retirement and humility.
“When his presidency concluded, he returned to Daura—not to rule from the shadows, not to assert hidden control—but to live in peace, as he always had, content to entrust the nation's future to new hands,” Tinubu remarked. “Even in death, he retained the composure that defined him in life—no complaints, no lamentation, only a serene submission to the will of God. Such was the man Nigeria has now lost.”
President Tinubu extended his gratitude to the Inter-Ministerial Committee and the Governor of Katsina State, Dikko Radda, for orchestrating a dignified state burial within 48 hours. He described it as a profound honour to have led the funeral rites in Daura.
He concluded his tribute with a solemn prayer:
“Mai Gaskiya—the People’s General, the Farmer-President—your duty is fulfilled. May Almighty Allah forgive your shortcomings and grant you eternal peace in Aljannah Firdaus. May your life continue to inspire future generations of Nigerians to lead with bravery, conviction, and humility. Thank you, President Buhari. Your memory shall endure in the heart of our nation.”
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