In national development, institutions, especially academic ones, hold more than just administrative or educational value. They are legacy brands, symbols of collective identity, and cultural monuments that span generations. Renaming these institutions after political leaders, no matter how noble the intent, often sparks intense debate: Should legacy names be sacrificed in the name of tribute, or should brand preservation take precedence over national sentiment?
I really want to be real here! Changing the name of an established institution is not just a ceremonial gesture. It’s a seismic shift in perception, legacy, and brand equity. The power of a name lies in its story, reputation, and what it has come to represent in the public psyche over time. Let’s even take UNILAG (University of Lagos) as a case in point. From UNILAG to MAULAG.
If you remember vividly in 2012, former President Goodluck Jonathan announced the renaming of the University of Lagos to Moshood Abiola University, in honour of the late democracy hero, MKO Abiola. While MKO Abiola is undeniably a national icon, the proposal triggered national outrage. Students protested. Alumni rejected it. The academic community cried foul. Why?
Because UNILAG wasn’t just a name. It was a brand. One that had been nurtured over decades, with international recognition, strong alumni pride, a cultural identity, and a deep emotional connection to Lagos itself. The renaming attempt was eventually rolled back, not because Abiola wasn’t worthy, but because legacy branding matters. There was a time also they wanted to rename the National Theatre, Iganmu. Just imagine!
See, consider a hypothetical scenario: Harvard University, one of the most prestigious academic brands in the world, suddenly renamed Barack Obama University. Yes, President Obama is one of the most respected global leaders of the 21st century, and yes, he’s a Harvard alumnus. But renaming Harvard, a brand over 388 years old would instantly dilute centuries of identity, consistency, trust, and recognition that the name carries globally.
It would be seen not as a tribute, but as a political branding stunt.
And that’s the challenge. Institutions like Harvard, Oxford, UNILAG, UNIBEN, UI, ABU, and others have taken decades, sometimes centuries, to build names that evoke trust, excellence, and legacy. Changing these names, no matter how honourable the cause, risks eroding the very foundations they were built on.
Now imagine renaming the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) after former President Muhammadu Buhari. Again, no matter how one views his legacy, whether as a patriot, a military man, or a democratic president, attaching his name to a brand that has long held its own cultural and academic relevance would instantly politicize the institution.
It risks dividing the student body along ideological lines and politicizing academic discourse. More importantly, it forces thousands of alumni, students, researchers, and even international partners to realign with a new name they never signed up for. And for what gain?
Our leaders need to understand the power of keeping a brand intact. A strong brand is not built overnight. It’s built through consistent values, performance, experience, and shared stories. Universities like Cambridge, Yale, Oxford, Nairobi, Cape Town, and Ife (even before it was renamed OAU) represent more than their names, they embody credibility, history, and excellence.
Changing that name doesn’t just require a new signboard or domain name. It demands rebranding, remarketing, cultural reorientation, and worst of all, abandoning decades of goodwill and emotional equity.
Imagine the ripple effect: LinkedIn profiles, academic citations, alumni records, international rankings, university merchandise, and legal documentation. Everything becomes subject to confusion, reinterpretation, or mistrust.
There are alternative ways to honour our national heroes, if indeed, some of them are. This is not to say we shouldn’t honour our heroes. We should, and must. But there are other more strategic and respectful ways:
- Name new institutions after them.
- Establish leadership centres, fellowships, or lecture series in their name.
- Create national monuments, awards, or research grants.
- Honour them on currency, public holidays, or cultural centres.
In doing this, we preserve the legacy of our institutions while still honouring the memory of our leaders.
Nation-building should not be about identity-destroying. Renaming institutions after political leaders, no matter how well-intentioned, should never come at the cost of erasing long-standing identities. Leaders come and go, but institutions live for centuries. Let their names stand, not just for what they teach, but for what they represent.
Let’s celebrate our heroes, yes. But let’s not kill a brand to give birth to a statue.
