ASUU Plans Legal Action Against UNIMAID Renaming After Buhari

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at the University of Maiduguri has strongly opposed the Federal Government’s decision to rename the institution after former President Muhammadu Buhari, stating that it plans to challenge the move in court.

In a statement released on Friday and jointly signed by Chairperson Abubakar Mshelia and Assistant Secretary Peter Teri, the union said the decision came after an emergency congress held on July 24, 2025.

The meeting was attended by ASUU members, representatives of the Student Union Government, and other key stakeholders. After thorough deliberations, the congress unanimously called for an immediate and unconditional reversal of the renaming directive.

The union stated that renaming the institution after five decades of existence disregards university autonomy, disrupts established academic traditions, and undermines the collective identity of the university community.

ASUU-UNIMAID described the decision as arbitrary and lacking in proper consultation with the university, its alumni, stakeholders, and the broader public. It expressed concern over what it sees as a serious breach of due process and a failure to engage those directly affected.

The union added that it had authorized its executive committee to take all necessary legal steps to contest the name change and protect the university’s original identity.

It further called on other ASUU chapters, the national leadership, civil society groups, students, and the National Assembly to resist any legislative effort aimed at formalizing the name change.

ASUU emphasized that public universities must be allowed to function independently, free from political influence.