Former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has died in London at 82 after a prolonged illness. His body was flown home for a modest Islamic burial in Daura, Katsina State, as the nation reflects on his legacy of austerity, privacy, and service.
On July 13, 2025, Nigeria entered a period of mourning as the presidency officially confirmed the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari in London after a prolonged illness. Buhari, who led Africa’s most populous nation from 2015 to 2023 and previously served as a military ruler in the 1980s, died at 82 in a London hospital at 4:30 p.m. local time.
President Bola Tinubu’s office announced the news, extended condolences to Buhari’s widow, Aisha, and dispatched Vice President Kashim Shettima to the UK to accompany the late leader’s body home.
Buhari’s remains were flown from London to his hometown of Daura in Katsina State, northern Nigeria. State officials—including Vice President Shettima and Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda—joined family members and close political allies to receive the body.
Security was heightened in Daura and Kaduna, with military patrols and restricted movement as crowds gathered to pay their respects.
Honoring Buhari’s wishes and Islamic tradition, the funeral was a simple, swift ceremony. Despite his status as a former president, there was no state funeral held for him.
Islamic clerics emphasized the importance of prompt burial, and Buhari was interred in Daura with prayers led by local religious leaders, attended by family, dignitaries, and community members. The absence of elaborate state honors reflected both religious dictates and Buhari’s legacy of austerity and privacy.
President Tinubu described Buhari as “a patriot, a soldier, a statesman” whose life was defined by duty, honor, and a deep commitment to Nigeria’s unity and progress.
He ordered national flags to fly at half-mast for seven days and convened an emergency Federal Executive Council session in Buhari’s honor. Vice President Shettima called it “a black Sunday in Nigeria,” mourning the loss of “one of its greatest leaders.”
The Buhari family, through former media aide Garba Shehu, expressed gratitude for the nation’s support and prayers. Political allies and ministers highlighted Buhari’s anti-corruption stance, discipline, and modesty.
Reactions across Nigeria were deeply mixed. In the north, especially in Katsina and Daura, many mourned the loss of a regional icon, gathering at his residence and offering prayers. On social media, Nigerians expressed a wide range of emotions—from sorrow and respect to sharp criticism and reflection on his controversial legacy.
Some praised his integrity and anti-corruption drive, while others recalled the economic hardship, insecurity, and perceived authoritarianism that occurred during his tenure. The polarized response underscored the complexity of Buhari’s impact on the nation.
Buhari’s modest funeral was consistent with his lifelong reputation for discipline, simplicity, and privacy. Even as president, he was known for a tightly managed, unostentatious lifestyle, and his final journey home reflected these values. The decision to forgo a state funeral was seen by many as a final statement of humility and a reminder of the transient nature of power.
Buhari’s passing and the manner of his burial have prompted national introspection. For some, his final journey marks the end of an era in Nigerian politics—a time of both hope and disappointment, reform and controversy.
As citizens and leaders reflect on his legacy, the modest ceremony in Daura stands as a testament to Buhari’s complex place in Nigerian history: a leader who inspired both fierce loyalty and sharp critique, and whose final wishes echoed his lifelong call for discipline, service, and simplicity.
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