Former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari passed away on Sunday afternoon, July 13, in London, England, at the age of 82. He had been undergoing medical treatment there in recent weeks, as confirmed by current President Bola Tinubu’s spokesperson.
Buhari twice led Africa’s most populous nation during his extensive political career—first as a military ruler from December 1983 to August 1985 following a coup, and later as a democratically elected president from 2015 to 2023. He made history by becoming the first opposition candidate to unseat a sitting president when he defeated Goodluck Jonathan in the 2015 election on his fourth attempt.
President Tinubu promptly dispatched Vice President Kashim Shettima to London to accompany Buhari’s remains back to Nigeria for burial. Additionally, the President ordered all national flags to be flown at half-mast for a week, from Sunday, July 13 to July 20, and called for an emergency Federal Executive Council session on Tuesday to honor the former leader.
Born on December 17, 1942, in Daura, Katsina State, Buhari joined the army at the age of 19 and rose to the rank of major general. He initially came to power in 1983 as a military ruler, aiming to revitalize a poorly managed country through strict discipline and anti-corruption measures. His regime was known for authoritarian policies, such as executing drug dealers, recovering looted state assets, and deploying soldiers to enforce traffic regulations with whips.
During his military rule, an estimated 700,000 illegal immigrants were expelled amid declining oil prices, and a “war against indiscipline” was launched, which required tardy government workers to perform squats. However, Buhari’s initial tenure lasted only 18 months before he was removed by fellow military officer Ibrahim Babangida in August 1985, leading to 40 months of imprisonment.
After spending many years in fringe political parties, Buhari was elected president in 2015, buoyed by public discontent over government corruption and insecurity. He had previously run unsuccessfully for the presidency in 2003 and 2007. Hailing from Nigeria’s predominantly Muslim north, Buhari promised to curb extremist violence and address corruption in one of Africa’s largest economies and oil producers.
Buhari assumed office as Nigeria grappled with the kidnapping of nearly 300 schoolgirls from Chibok by the jihadist group Boko Haram in 2014. His presidency facilitated the safe return of dozens of these Chibok schoolgirls, marking a positive moment in the fight against extremism. However, many abducted by Boko Haram over the years remain missing.
Despite initial assurances, Buhari’s eight-year presidency was marred by the same issues he vowed to resolve. Extremist violence, initially confined to the northeast, spread to other regions, resulting in significant areas beyond government control. Armed groups in the northwest, separatists in the southeast, and various gangs operated with increasing impunity.
Economic challenges intensified during his presidency as Nigeria faced a recession amid falling global oil prices and militant attacks in the oil-rich Niger Delta region. The currency weakened as Buhari pursued unconventional monetary policies to defend its fixed exchange rate to the dollar, leading to a severe foreign currency shortage. By 2022, oil production had dropped to its lowest level in over two decades due to crude theft, and double-digit inflation persisted throughout much of his term.
Buhari’s anti-corruption campaign, a central aspect of his political agenda, yielded limited high-profile convictions and faced widespread criticism for its limited impact. Rights groups accused him of retaining autocratic tendencies reminiscent of his military rule, particularly following the 2020 youth protests against police brutality that resulted in deadly shootings of demonstrators by soldiers.
The former president’s governance was further complicated by prolonged medical absences abroad, causing anxiety among Nigerians and prompting calls for his replacement. His frequent taxpayer-funded medical treatments in London, while millions of citizens dealt with inadequate healthcare facilities at home, generated significant public discontent. During one absence, Buhari made a rare statement saying he needed “a longer time to rest.”
By the end of his presidency in 2023, public goodwill toward Buhari had largely diminished. Insecurity had worsened, and corruption appeared more pervasive than when he took office. His administration’s inconsistent response to various crises underscored the challenges of uniting a country divided between its predominantly Muslim north and Christian south.
As a Muslim, Buhari is expected to be buried following Islamic rites in his home state of northwestern Katsina. He was married twice and fathered ten children. President Tinubu described him as a patriot, soldier, and statesman who served Nigeria with dedication, noting that his legacy of service and sacrifice would endure despite the challenges faced during his time in office.
