Nigeria mourns the death of its former President, Muhammadu Buhari.
A brief statement issued on Sunday afternoon by his longtime media aide, Garba Shehu, confirmed that the former leader passed away in a London clinic.
Shehu’s statement, shared with the press, read: “INNA LILLAHI WA INNA ILAIHIRRAJIUUN. The family of the former president has announced the passing on of the former president, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, this afternoon in a clinic in London. May Allah accept him in Aljannatul Firdaus, Amin.”
President Tinubu has spoken with Mrs Aishat Buhari, the former President’s widow and offered his deep condolences.
President Tinubu has also ordered Vice President Kashim Shettima to proceed to the United Kingdom to accompany President Muhammadu Buhari’s body back to Nigeria.
A Soldier, a Ruler, and a Reformer
He was born on December 17, 1942. Buhari was a retired Major General who first assumed power as Nigeria’s military Head of State from 1983 to 1985 following a coup that toppled the civilian administration of President Shehu Shagari.
Though ousted in a further coup orchestrated by General Ibrahim Babangida, Buhari came back onto the national scene decades later as a civilian politician, ultimately being elected in the 2015 presidential election on the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket. He was the first opposition presidential candidate ever elected in Nigeria to have defeated an incumbent president.
His administration was defined by efforts to reform against corruption, renovating infrastructure, and battling insurgency—though his regime was accused by critics of worsening security, shrinking civic space, and economic underperformance.
FACT FILE
Name: Muhammadu Buhari
Born: December 17, 1942
Died: July 13, 2025 (Age 82)
Military Head of State: 1983–1985
Civilian President: 2015–2023
Legacy: Anti-corruption campaign, infrastructure development, mixed ratings regarding human rights and management of the economy
