The university was created by the federal government of Nigeria in 1975, with the intention of its becoming one of the country's principal
higher-education institutions. It enrolls about 25,000 students in its combined programs, which include a college of
medicine and faculties of
agriculture,
arts,
environmental science, Allied health science, Basic medical science,
dentistry,
education,
engineering,
law,
management science,
pharmacy,
science,
social science, and
veterinary medicine. With the encouragement of the federal government, the university has recently been increasing its research efforts, particularly in the fields of agriculture, medicine and conflict resolution, and expanding the university press. The university is the major higher institution of learning in the north-eastern part of the country. Following the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari on 13 July 2025, the
Federal Executive Council under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved renaming the university to Muhammadu Buhari University of Maiduguri. == Faculties (colleges) ==