LAGOS, Nigeria – July 13, 2025 – Nigeria’s former President Muhammadu Buhari, passed away on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at the age of 82 in a London hospital. The announcement was confirmed by his press secretary and Nigeria’s current President, Bola Tinubu, who expressed profound sorrow over the loss of a towering figure in the nation’s history.
Buhari, a retired major general, served as Nigeria’s military Head of State from 1983 to 1985 after a coup that ousted President Shehu Shagari. Decades later, he made history as the first opposition candidate to unseat an incumbent president through democratic elections, serving as Nigeria’s democratically elected president from May 29, 2015, to May 29, 2023.
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Known for his austere demeanor and anti-corruption stance, Buhari’s tenure was marked by efforts to combat corruption, bolster infrastructure, and address insecurity, particularly against Boko Haram insurgents. However, his presidency faced criticism for economic challenges and worsening security, leaving a mixed legacy that continues to spark national reflection.
President Tinubu announced that Vice President Kashim Shettima will travel to London to accompany Buhari’s body back to Nigeria, where he will be laid to rest in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State. The Katsina State government has declared Monday a public holiday in honor of the late leader.
Tributes have poured in from across Nigeria and beyond. Former President Goodluck Jonathan described Buhari as a “courageous leader, disciplined officer, and devoted patriot,” while former Vice President Atiku Abubakar called his passing a “profound national tragedy.” Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended condolences, praising Buhari’s commitment to Nigeria and international relations.
The Northern chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) hailed Buhari as a “father figure” whose legacy of unity and discipline would endure, while the Nigeria Governors’ Forum described him as a “national figure of moral courage.”
Social media reactions on X reflect a nation grappling with Buhari’s complex legacy. Some users mourned his passing, praying for his soul to rest in “Aljannatul Firdaus,” while others noted the challenges during his administration, with one post stating, “Nigeria retrogressed seriously under his administration, and we’re not on the path of recovery.”Controversial claims have also surfaced, with activist Omoyele Sowore alleging that Buhari battled leukemia and that Nigeria incurred £3,000 per night for his medical treatment in the UK. The presidency has not responded to these claims.
Buhari’s death coincides with another national loss, as the revered Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, passed away hours later at 91, deepening Nigeria’s grief.