LAGOS, July 14, 2025 – Former President Muhammadu Buhari, a figure whose life bridged Nigeria’s military past and democratic present, died on July 13, 2025, in London. He was 82. Buhari passed away following a prolonged illness—widely reported to be leukaemia, a blood cancer he had quietly battled for years. News of his death at approximately 4:30 p.m. GMT prompted national mourning and reflections on his complex legacy.
A rise through discipline: Daura to military head of state
Born in Daura, Katsina State, on December 17, 1942, Buhari was the 23rd child in a Muslim, Fulani family. He joined the Nigerian Army in 1961, later rising to Major General during the Biafran War and becoming known for his legalistic and disciplined approach to military governance.
In a coup in 1983, he seized power and ruled until 1985. His regime was defined by a strict anti-corruption doctrine and efforts to instill civic order, dubbed the “War Against Indiscipline.” However, these efforts came with criticism over press restrictions and civil liberties. His overthrow led to years out of the corridor of power, but also laid the groundwork for his later political reinvention.
Political comeback: “converted democrat” and historic victory
After unsuccessful bids in 2003, 2007, and 2011, Buhari re-entered the political arena with a message of reform. In 2015, he became the first opposition candidate to unseat an incumbent president—Goodluck Jonathan—marking a turning point in Nigeria’s electoral history. He was re-elected in 2019, emphasizing austerity, anti-graft campaigns, and moral rectitude. He proudly referred to himself as a “converted democrat,” donning kaftans and prayer caps to shed his military past.
Governance challenges: balancing achievements and criticism
His presidency drew polarized reactions:
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Achievements: He took hardline stances against corruption and built key infrastructure—roads, rail lines, dams—and advocated structural reforms. His administration claimed gains against Boko Haram and freed the abducted Chibok girls .
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Criticisms: Yet he struggled with economic recession, persistent insecurity, inflation, and currency instability, earning the nickname “Baba Go Slow” for his cautious decision-making. The violent crackdown on the #EndSARS protests in 2020 and restrictions on social media raised human rights concerns.
He frequently sought medical treatment abroad, especially in London, with critics calling his absences a form of governance by delegation.
Final chapter: leukaemia, death, repatriation, and tributes
Buhari’s long struggle with illness ended in London. SaharaReporters and other outlets identified leukaemia as the cause. President Bola Tinubu declared seven days of national mourning and ordered flags flown at half-mast . Vice President Kashim Shettima was dispatched to oversee the repatriation of his remains ahead of his burial in Daura on July 15, in accordance with Islamic rites.
Global leaders, including Indian PM Narendra Modi, paid tribute to his integrity and diplomatic efforts. Even his former rival, General Ibrahim Babangida, acknowledged Buhari’s patriotism despite political disagreements.
Legacy and reflection: demilitarisation, discipline, democracy
Survived by his wife, Aisha Buhari, and their children, Muhammadu Buhari leaves a legacy of tough discipline, anti-corruption commitment, and a bold transition from military rule to democratic governance. His path mirrored Nigeria’s own struggles—with flashes of progress and enduring setbacks.
Buhari was, and remains, a study in contrasts: decisive yet hesitant, stern yet spiritual. His time in office brought infrastructural growth and moral clarity, but also economic hardship and civil unrest. His tenure compels a national reckoning on Nigeria’s aspirations—between order and openness, integrity and inclusion.
His passing is not just the end of a man but a punctuation point in Nigeria’s ongoing journey toward transparent leadership, robust democracy, and secure society. As citizens evaluate his impact, Buhari’s life becomes part of Nigeria’s evolving story—ever hopeful, yet unfinished.
