Finally, with the departure of Muhammadu Buhari from this world, Nigeria has been left with the resonance of his leadership — a legacy written not only in policy and projects but in wounds, struggles, and silence that characterized his time in office.
He took office as a man of legend. A blunt-spoken general. A “disciplined” leader. A northern hard man with rough hands and parsimonious tastes. Twice rejected, he rode in on the tide of democratic longing in 2015. By 2023, when he left office, that enthusiasm had turned to disillusion for so many. And now, in death, the absolute of legacy faces us.
So do we need to wonder: Did Buhari leave a legacy — or just wreckage?
A Silent Leader in a Stormy Era
History will remember Buhari as a man of few words — too few, in fact, for the storms that raged across Nigeria during his presidency. While the nation groaned under the weight of terrorism, economic collapse, and rising ethnic tensions, Buhari was often distant, surrounded by silence, unmoved by outrage.
When the students were kidnapped, when protesters were shot down, when communities were slaughtered — we waited for his word. Occasionally, it did not emerge. And when it emerged, it was read, scripted, and detached from the people’s pain.
He ruled more by presence than by persuasion, more by title than by touch. And perhaps one of his most enduring legacies is that of a leader present in office, but absent in spirit.
A Nation That Became More Fragile
Under Buhari, insecurity turned from regional uprising to national terror. From the Zamfara forests to the Benue farms, from the Kaduna trains to the Plateau villages that were stained with blood — terror came with new faces. Bandits. Herdsmen. Unknown gunmen. And in it all, the state seemed overwhelmed.
Indeed, Boko Haram lost territory. But terror did not cease — it changed. And without a firm security plan, Nigeria was more vulnerable than ever.
Economy: Pain in Every Market
Under Buhari, the Naira plunged. Subsidies mushroomed. Food prices were out of this world. Jobs disappeared. Foreign investors fled. Businesses collapsed. And hunger found its way into homes once filled with middle-class aspirations.
He did build something — roads, rails, bridges. He signed the Petroleum Industry Act. He started social programs like N-Power. But to many Nigerians, these were far from their pain. What’s the use of a bridge if there’s no food? What’s infrastructure without dignity?
The Anti-Corruption Illusion
Buhari came as Mr. Integrity. But even that pretence began to crumble when his closest allies were accused of corruption — and were stealthily protected. The same man who promised to jail looters was presiding over one of Nigeria’s largest embezzlement rackets in the history of the civil service, involving his Accountant-General.
The war against corruption became selective — and ultimately, Nigerians were no cleaner, merely quieter.
To Be Fair…
History is never black and white. Buhari did get some things right too. He signed the Electoral Act Amendment, which enriched future elections. He completed long-abandoned infrastructure projects. He stayed personally scandal-free. And in a country where sit-tightism is the norm, he handed over power, peacefully, at the end of his second term — Although that may not count for many, as his party kinsman took the mantle of leadership after his two terms.
But these successes are paltry compared to the size of the disappointment.
Death closes the door on action, but opens the door to contemplation. Buhari will no longer be able to speak for himself — his record will do the talking. And history won’t be sentimental.
Many Nigerians will remember him with respect as a man who meant well, who lived abstemiously, who served his country in war and peace.
Others will remember him in anger as the president during whose time they lost their savings, their security, and their faith in government.
Now that he is dead, the legend must give way to the man.
Finally,
Muhammadu Buhari is not around anymore to justify or redefine his own legacy. That remains our job now — the people he governed. It’s our responsibility to recall honestly, not merely with respect. To celebrate where he succeeded, and to learn from where he didn’t.
Because leadership is not about being perfect. It’s about making an impact.
And no matter what history decides to label Buhari as — builder or breaker — something is certain
Nigeria never remained the same following him.
