Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria’s Former
President, Dies at the age of 82
Muhammadu Buhari, the former president and one-time military ruler of Nigeria, has passed away. He died on Sunday at a London hospital, as confirmed by his spokesperson, Garba Shehu. He was 82 years old.
In a message posted on X (formerly Twitter), Mr Shehu stated that the former president died in a London clinic and offered prayers for his eternal peace, saying, “May Allah accept him in Aljannatul Firdaus, Amin.”
Buhari had been in the United Kingdom since April, initially for what was described as a routine medical check-up. However, his health reportedly worsened during the visit, and he remained under medical care until his death.
He served as Nigeria’s elected president from 2015 to 2023, having earlier led the country as a military head of state between January 1984 and August 1985. After completing the constitutionally allowed two terms, he left office on 29 May 2023.
Even during his presidency, Buhari was known for frequent trips to the UK for health-related reasons. Though his health appeared stable following his departure from office, it declined again earlier this year, prompting a prolonged stay in London.
Born on December 17, 1942, in Daura, Katsina State, Muhammadu Buhari was the 23rd child of his father, Adamu. After his father’s death when Buhari was about four years old, he was raised by his mother, Zulaiha. He began his early education in Daura and Maiduguri, then advanced to Katsina Middle School and later Katsina Provincial Secondary School, now known as Government College, Katsina, where he earned his West African School Certificate.
Buhari married Safinatu Yusuf in 1971. Their marriage ended in 1988, and the following year, he married Aisha Halilu. Across both marriages, he had ten children.
His military career began in 1961 when he joined the Nigerian Army and trained at the Nigerian Military Training College in Kaduna. His journey took him to the Mons Officer Cadet School in England, where he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1963. Over the years, he received training in Nigeria, the United Kingdom, India, and the United States, and held several key positions including Military Governor, Federal Commissioner for Petroleum Resources, Chairman of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, and General Officer Commanding two major Army divisions.
Buhari came to national prominence after the military coup of December 1983, through which he became Head of State. His leadership was cut short in August 1985 when a counter-coup removed him from office.
Following Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, Buhari became a central figure in opposition politics. He contested presidential elections in 2003, 2007, and 2011 without success. In 2013, he played a major role in the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC), a coalition that included his former party and other opposition groups. This political alliance led to a significant shift in Nigeria’s political landscape.
In 2015, Buhari ran for president under the APC and won, becoming the first opposition candidate in Nigeria’s history to defeat an incumbent president. His campaign, built around promises to fight corruption and restore security, struck a chord with many Nigerians. He was re-elected in 2019 for a second term.
His presidency was defined by a mix of achievements and challenges. While he pushed for reforms and took steps to address infrastructure and corruption, his administration was often criticized for rising insecurity, economic struggles, and allegations of human rights abuses.
Muhammadu Buhari’s death marks the close of a significant chapter in Nigeria’s post-independence history. Viewed as a disciplined and determined leader by his admirers, and as a polarizing figure by critics, his legacy will continue to shape conversations around leadership, governance, and mili
tary influence in Nigeria.