President Bola Tinubu has formally approved the renaming of the University of Maiduguri, located in Borno State, as Muhammadu Buhari University, in a move designed to honour the legacy of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The decision was announced during a special session of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) held on Thursday evening at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja. The special session, which commenced at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, was expanded to include the family members of the late president as well as high-profile members of President Tinubu’s administration.
In a poignant tribute to Buhari, President Tinubu reflected on the deep impact of his predecessor’s character. “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 stated. He praised Buhari’s hallmark qualities, emphasizing his discipline, patriotism, and moral uprightness.
“His record will be debated, as all legacies are, but the character he brought to public life, the moral force he carried, the incorruptible standard he represented, will not be forgotten,” Tinubu declared. “His was a life lived in full service to Nigeria, and in fidelity to God.”
The Federal Executive Council session was attended by leading figures in Nigeria’s government, including members of the National Assembly—the Senate and the House of Representatives—as well as top officials from the Judiciary, highlighting the magnitude of Buhari’s contributions to national life.
Before the FEC special session, a third-day prayer was held at Buhari’s Daura residence in Katsina State, led by Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima, with a delegation representing the Federal Government paying their respects.
In continuation of the national honours, the presidency announced that a series of remembrance events have been scheduled. On Friday, a special prayer session will take place at the National Mosque in Abuja for the late former president. On Sunday, a special church service will be held, bringing together Nigerians across religious divides to commemorate Buhari’s enduring legacy.
These activities, collectively, seek to celebrate the life, sacrifices, and achievements of Muhammadu Buhari, ensuring that his memory and influence live on in the hearts and institutions of Nigeria.
