The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Maiduguri chapter, has strongly opposed the Federal Government’s decision to rename the institution after the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, declaring the move “vehemently rejected and strongly condemned.”

The union, under the leadership of Chairperson, Abubakar Mshelia and Assistant Secretary, Peter Teri, made its position known in a statement issued on Friday, following an emergency congress held on July 24, 2025.

According to the statement, the congress, which included ASUU members, representatives of the Student Union Government, and other key stakeholders, reached a unanimous decision calling for an “immediate and unconditional reversal” of the name change.

“Following extensive discussions, the congress unanimously resolved to vehemently reject and strongly condemn the decision to rename the University of Maiduguri to Muhammadu Buhari University, Maiduguri,” the statement read.

The union described the decision as a “flagrant disregard for university autonomy, a disruption of cherished academic traditions, and a direct affront to the collective heritage and identity” of the university community.

ASUU-UNIMAID faulted the federal government for failing to consult widely before announcing the renaming of the university, which has existed for over 50 years.

The union labelled the renaming as “ill-conceived, arbitrary, and devoid of meaningful consultation” with the university community, alumni, stakeholders, and the general public.

“This decision represents a troubling disregard for due process and stakeholder engagement in governance,” the union stated.

ASUU-UNIMAID also disclosed that its executive committee has been mandated to pursue legal options in order to reverse the renaming decision.

It said it would explore all available legal avenues to protect the institution’s original identity and uphold the autonomy of Nigerian public universities.

The statement further urged other ASUU branches, zonal bodies, and the national leadership to resist any attempt by the National Assembly to formalise the name change through legislation.

Reaffirming its stance, the union emphasised that public universities must remain insulated from political influence and cautioned against any future attempts to rename institutions without broad-based consultation.

“The union demands that the autonomy and integrity of public universities must be upheld without political interference,” it added.