The alumni, students, and concerned citizens are calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to halt the move.

In an open letter widely circulated across social media, the stakeholders acknowledged the legacy of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari but cautioned that changing the institution’s name would undermine a well established identity built over more than 40 years.

Describing the university as “a symbol of resilience, academic excellence, and regional pride,” the petitioners, championed by Opeyemi Olatinwo, highlighted UNIMAID’s enduring role during the Boko Haram insurgency, when the institution remained open and active despite security threats.

“UNIMAID is more than a name; it is a brand and a beacon of hope in the Northeast,” the statement read, adding that there would be significant loss to its “emotional and historical value”.

The petition, endorsed by thousands of signatories, including current students and distinguished alumni, argued that the proposed renaming does not reflect the views of the university’s core stakeholders and broader Nigerian public.