The University of Maiduguri was created in 1975 as one of the second-generation Universities, which formed part of the programmes of the Third National Development plan (1975-80) by the then Federal Military Government. At inception, the university did not have physical structures of its own, but in April 1976, it inherited the premises owned by the former North East College of Arts and Science (NECAS). The structures bequeathed to the University by NECAS were adequate in terms of office blocks, classrooms, staff quarters, laboratories and other physical structures requirement by a university of its size. The personnel of NECAS were equally absorbed into the University employment and this made it possible for the institution to commence its academic programmes in October 1976.
In its first academic year, the university enrolled 743 students spread across three faculties, namely Arts and Education, Science, and Social Science & Law. By 1978 the number of faculties expanded to six with the creation of the Faculty of Agriculture and the separation of the Faculty from Arts as well as the separation of the Faculty of Law from Social Sciences. Similarly, a two-year School of Basic Studies programme was introduced in 1976 to mop-up the students of NECAS and in 1980, it was transformed into a single year remedial programme.
The University of Maiduguri is located in Maiduguri, capital of Borno State, in the North-Eastern corner of Nigeria. The University’s immediate environment is made up of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe, the five successor States of the defunct North-Eastern State.
The six States occupying an estimated area of 310,666 square kilometers, have an estimated population of 11,888,297 (1981). The environment within which the University is located is rich in both human and natural resources. Culturally and socially, the region is one of the great meeting points of early African Civilizations. Thus, the remarkable cultures of this region at once indicate the rich rewards in terms of higher learning and research to scholars, students, and the population at large. By the year 2000, student enrolment had reached 26, 000 and the number of faculties had expanded to eight (8) including a College of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Engineering, and Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. There were also 77 academic departments spread across these faculties. As at the end of 2016, the University had one college of Medical Sciences, a School of Postgraduate Studies, and 12 Faculties. The faculties include Agriculture, Arts, Dentistry, Education, Engineering, Law, Management Sciences, Pharmacy, Science, Social Sciences, and Veterinary Medicine.
University Of Maiduguri Notable Alumni
What makes them notable alumni is because of their achievements and the height they have gotten to in life. They have weathered the storm and have come as champions. Reading their stories will give one an idea that they have foresight, are success-driven, and always look for the next ground to break. They are the kind of alumni any institution will want to have.
- Okezie Ikpeazu
Okezie Victor Ikpeazu is the 9th and current Governor of Abia State, in office since May 29, 2015. He was elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party. He was re-elected as the governor of Abia state after winning the March 9th, gubernatorial election. Okezie was born on October 18, 1964, to the family of late Pa Ishmael and Deaconess Bessie Ikpeazu of Umuebere in Umuobiakwa village, Isialaukwu, Mbato Autonomous Community in Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria, he gained admission into the University of Maiduguri to study Clinical Biochemistry and graduated with a B.Sc. (Hons.) Second Class Upper Division in August 1984.
- Michael Aondoakaa
Michael Kaase Aondoakaa was born in Benue on 12 June 1962. He schooled at Mount Saint Gabriel’s Secondary school Makurdi and Upon graduation was admitted into the Faculty of Law University of Maiduguri where he obtained his LL.B Certificate. He became a senior partner of a law firm for 18 years. While helping two of his friends, Ogiri Ajene, former deputy governor of Benue State, and Professor Daniel Saror to secure nomination for ministerial appointment, he was invited to meet President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, and during the interview was offered the post of Attorney General until February 10, 2010, when he was removed in controversial circumstances by the Acting President Goodluck Jonathan.
- Ibrahim Kpotun Idris
Ibrahim Idris Kpotun is a Nigerian police officer and former Inspector General of Police. He was appointed to this position by President Muhammadu Buhari on 21 March 2016, replacing Solomon Arase, who retired from the police force on 21 June 2016. Idris hails from Kutigi, Lavun in Niger State. He was born on 15 January 1959, and enlisted into the Nigerian Police Force in 1984, after graduating from the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria with a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture. He also holds a degree in Law from the University of Maiduguri. Prior to his appointment, he was an Assistant Inspector General of Police(Operations), FHQ Abuja. He also led the Police Mobile Force as well as the Kano State and Nasarawa State police commands in Nigeria while serving in the rank of Commissioner of Police.
- Orji Uzor Kalu
Orji Uzor Kalu was born in April 21, 1960 to the family of Mr. Johnson Uzor Nesiegbe Kalu and Mrs Eunice Kalu. He is the chairman of SLOK Holding and the Daily Sun and New Telegraph newspapers in Nigeria, who served as the governor of Abia State, Nigeria from May 29, 1999, to May 29, 2007. Prior to his election, he served as the chairman of the Borno Water Board and the chairman of the Cooperative and Commerce Bank Limited. Kalu was also a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA), and the chairman of the PPA Board of Trustees. He was the party’s presidential candidate in the April 2007 general election. Kalu attended Christ the King School Aba and Government College Umuahia. After studying at Barewa College, Zaria, he enrolled at the University of Maiduguri where he studied political science. During his time at the university, Kalu became a student activist and participated in the “Ali Must Go riots against the education minister. His participation resulted in his suspension. While his fellow students later took the school authorities to court, Kalu left school to build his own business.
- Ahmed Ibrahim Lawan
Ahmed Ibrahim Lawan is a Nigerian senator who represents the All Progressive Congress in the Yobe North Constituency of Yobe State. He became a senator in 2007. In 2019, he emerged as the new Senate President of the 9th National Assembly. Ahmed Ibrahim Lawan was born in 1959. He received a bachelor’s degree in geography from the University of Maiduguri, a master’s degree in remote sensing from Ahmadu Bello University.
- Abubakar Malami
Abubakar Malami was born on 17 April 1967 in Birnin Kebbi, the capital of Kebbi State, Northern Nigeria. His early formal education began at Nassarawa Primary School, Birnin Kebbi before he completed his secondary school education at the College of Arts and Arabic Studies. In 1991, he graduated from Usmanu Danfodiyo University where he studied Law and was called to the bar in 1992. Abubakar is an alumnus of the University of Maiduguri where he obtained his master’s degree in Public Administration in 1994.
- Bala Mohammed
Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed (born 5 October 1958) was elected Senator for Bauchi South, in Bauchi State, Nigeria in April 2007. He was appointed Minister of FCT (Federal Capital Territory) on 8 April 2010, when Acting President Goodluck Jonathan announced his new cabinet. He is the current Governor of Bauchi State under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Mohammed was born in 1958. He studied English at the University of Maiduguri.
- Abubakar Sani Bello
Abubakar Sani Bello is the current governor of Niger state. Born on 17 December 1967. He is the eldest child of the Nigerian Billionaire and former military Governor of old Kano state Col Sani Bello (RTD). Abubakar Sani Bello attended ST. Loius primary school, Kano from 1974 – 1979 and later went to Nigerian Military School from 1980 – 1985 then was given admission into University of Maiduguri 1986 – 1991 where he obtained a B.Sc in Economics.
- Kashim Shettima
Kashim Ibrahim Shettima the former governor of Borno state was born on Friday, September 2, 1966, in the city of Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, Nigeria. He attended Lamisula Primary School in Maiduguri from 1972 to 1978; Government Community Secondary School, Biu in the southern part of Borno State from 1978 to 1980; transferred to Government Science Secondary School, Potiskum (now in neighboring Yobe State) where he completed his secondary education in 1983. He studied at the University of Maiduguri and earned a Degree (BSc) in Agricultural Economics in 1989.
- Tukur Yusuf Buratai
Tukur Yusuf Buratai is a Nigerian Army Lieutenant General and the current Chief of Army. Buratai attended the Nigerian Defence Academy Kaduna as a member of the 29 Regular Combatant Course (29 RC) where he was given the prestigious appointment of Cadet Sergeant Major (CSM). On successful completion of his Officer Cadet training, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on 17 December 1983 into the Infantry Corps of the Nigerian Army Buratai has a degree in History from the University of Maiduguri. SEE: NAFDAC Recruitment
