President Bola Tinubu has officially renamed the University of Maiduguri (UniMaid) in honour of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari. The announcement was made during a special session of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) held in Abuja on Thursday to commemorate Buhari’s life and legacy.
The institution, located in Borno State, will henceforth be known as Muhammadu Buhari University (MBU), Maiduguri.
During the expanded FEC meeting, Tinubu paid glowing tribute to Buhari, praising his legacy of discipline, patriotism, and integrity. He described Buhari’s life as one of quiet courage and unwavering dedication to the nation.
“Today, we gather under a heavy shadow—the silence of a departed leader and the profound weight of a life whose absence will echo for generations,” Tinubu said.
He recalled Buhari as a figure who once led from that very room, a man whose principles never wavered despite immense pressure.
Calling him a “patriot, soldier, and elder statesman,” Tinubu commended Buhari’s lifelong service to Nigeria. “His was a life of austere honour—unmoved by the lure of power, untouched by applause, and unafraid of the solitude that often comes with doing what is right,” he said.
Tinubu also reflected on Buhari’s military career, describing him as a gallant soldier who played a pivotal role in preserving Nigeria’s unity. As a civilian president, Tinubu said Buhari governed with restraint, integrity, and humility.
“He led with dignity and carried the burdens of leadership without complaint. Those closest to him knew that the power of the office never altered his character,” Tinubu added.
He urged Nigerians to emulate Buhari’s values—humility in leadership, discipline in service, and compassion in governance.
The president also expressed gratitude to the Inter-Ministerial Committee, chaired by Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) George Akume, and Governor Dikko Radda, for organising a dignified state funeral within 48 hours.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, speaking at the session, described Buhari as a leader of principle who governed with honour and simplicity.
“As a minister in his cabinet, I saw him up close—calm, deliberate, and austere. Behind that quiet exterior was a steadfast patriot who never sought personal comfort when duty called,” Akpabio said.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abass, hailed Buhari as a mentor and moral compass, describing him as a guiding force for many of today’s leaders.
In an emotional response, Buhari’s son, Yusuf Buhari, thanked President Tinubu and the Nigerian people for the honour and support given to his late father. He expressed appreciation for the national solidarity and called for continued prayers for his father’s eternal rest.
The session concluded with tributes from various ministers, who praised Buhari’s enduring impact on the nation and his legacy of principled leadership.
