The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) Chapter has warned that there would be grave consequences if President Bola Tinubu refused to reverse the renaming of the University he named after late Muhammadu Buhari.
BusinessDay had earlier reported that ASUU strongly rejected President Bola Tinubu’s move to rename the Institution after the late former president.
Abubakar Mshelia Saidu, Chairman of the UNIMAID Chapter of ASUU, stated this while speaking with journalists shortly after their Special Congress and Meeting with stakeholders in Maiduguri on Thursday.
Read also: Controversy trails UNIMAID renaming after Muhammadu Buhari
Abubakar hinted that the University Community and stakeholders had stood firmly to reject and condemn the statement in its entirety, saying both the Alumni and the ASUU might be forced to take legal actions against President Bola Tinubu and his Government.
He described the decision as “politically motivated,” and a “brazen affront” to the University’s legacy, history, and academic integrity.
He said, “It is serious cost implications, as rebranding materials, updating signage, certificates, websites, stationery, and digital platforms require significant financial resources.
“The implication of renaming an existing university in Nigeria, particularly in the case of the proposed renaming of University of Maiduguri to Muhammadu Buhari University, first, you look at the laws governing renaming of a federal university.
“First is the University Establishment Act. Therefore, any policy or political statement cannot just change the name. The Universities miscellaneous act act 2003, that is what we use our life to guard and a union in this university. That is the autonomy act. The law reinforces the university’s autonomy, limiting government interference.
“The implications of the President’s pronouncements, is such that the reputation that was built in the name of University of Maiduguri is now jetison. Unimade has built a 50 years reputation in academia , research, and of course, regional stability
“This is because a sudden name change will affect our alumni community, erase our historical branding of the Institution and this will affect Alumni connections . This connection means the certificates, transcripts, professional affiliation, international recognition, research collaborators, rankings, and partnerships will be affected. The decision will dampening all these.
Read also: Buhari’s commitment to education prompted renaming UNIMAID after him — FG
“You now have better information that this proposal will harm the people you are leading much more than you think. Now is is better be aware of the consequences of the renaming of the University.”
