Former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has died at the age of 82. The announcement was made on July 13, 2025 by his spokesperson, Garba Shehu, who confirmed that the former president passed away in a London hospital after a brief illness.
Buhari, who served as Nigeria’s Head of State from 1983 to 1985 and later as a democratically elected president from 2015 to 2023, was one of the most influential and controversial figures in the nation’s post-independence history. Known for his strict discipline, personal austerity, and anti-corruption stance, Buhari’s legacy spans over six decades in public life—first as a soldier, then as a statesman.
Born on December 17, 1942, in Daura, Katsina State, Buhari was raised by his mother after his father’s death when he was four. His path to national relevance began with his enrollment into the Nigerian Military Training College in 1961. He later trained in the UK, India, and the US, and rose through the military ranks, playing a key role in the 1966 counter-coup and the Nigerian Civil War. He later served as Military Governor of the North Eastern State, Minister of Petroleum, and Chairman of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
In 1983, Buhari seized power in a military coup, citing widespread corruption and economic decline. His administration was marked by a campaign against indiscipline, harsh media laws, and strict economic controls. He was overthrown in 1985 and spent years in detention and out of the public eye.
In 2003, he transitioned into democratic politics, contesting the presidency three times unsuccessfully before finally winning in 2015 under the newly formed All Progressives Congress (APC). His victory marked a historic moment—he became the first opposition candidate to defeat a sitting president in Nigeria’s electoral history.
His presidency focused on infrastructure, anti-corruption efforts, and a cautious economic approach. He also faced criticism over rising insecurity, perceived regional bias in appointments, and a sluggish response to economic crises. Still, Buhari maintained a strong following, especially in Northern Nigeria, where he was revered as Mai Gaskiya—the man of truth.
Upon leaving office in 2023, Buhari returned to Daura, largely retreating from public life. Known for his quiet demeanor and spartan lifestyle, he remained a symbol of personal integrity in Nigerian politics.
In his 2015 inauguration speech, he famously declared, “I belong to everybody, and I belong to no one.” That line would come to define his public persona—uncompromising, independent, and deeply principled.
He is survived by his wife, Aisha Buhari, ten children, and a country whose political landscape he helped shape for over half a century.
