Former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari passed away on Sunday afternoon, July 13, in London 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 served as leader of Africa’s most populous nation on two occasions during his extensive political career. His first tenure was as a military ruler from December 1983 to August 1985 after a coup. He later became a democratically elected president from 2015 to 2023, marking a significant milestone in 2015 as the first opposition candidate to defeat a sitting president, when he won against incumbent Goodluck Jonathan.
In response to Buhari’s passing, Tinubu immediately sent Vice President Kashim Shettima to London to escort Buhari’s body back to Nigeria for burial. The President also decreed that all national flags be flown at half-mast from Sunday, July 13, to July 20. An emergency Federal Executive Council session was scheduled for Tuesday as a tribute to the former leader.
Born on December 17, 1942, in Daura, Katsina State, Buhari joined the army at 19 and rose to the rank of major general. He first seized power in 1983 with promises of restoring order to a poorly managed nation through rigorous discipline and anti-corruption initiatives. His initial rule was noted for authoritarian policies, such as executing drug traffickers, recovering embezzled state funds, and deploying soldiers to enforce traffic regulations.
The military government also expelled an estimated 1.54 million illegal immigrants amid falling oil prices and initiated a “war against indiscipline,” which included compelling tardy government employees to perform squats. However, Buhari’s first period in power lasted only 18 months until fellow military officer Ibrahim Babangida ousted him in August 1985, resulting in 40 months of imprisonment.
After spending much of the next three decades in minor political parties, Buhari successfully ran for president in 2015. He capitalized on voters’ dissatisfaction with government corruption and insecurity. Previously, he had unsuccessfully contested the presidency in 2003 and 2007. Hailing from Nigeria’s predominantly Muslim north, Buhari promised to tackle extremist violence and corruption in the country, one of Africa’s largest economies and oil producers.
Buhari assumed office as Nigeria was grappling with Boko Haram’s abduction of nearly 300 schoolgirls from Chibok, an event which took place in 2014. His administration saw the safe return of dozens of these Chibok schoolgirls, a notable success in the fight against extremism. Nevertheless, thousands remain missing due to Boko Haram’s actions over the years.
Buhari’s eight-year presidency was marked by the same challenges he pledged to address. The spread of extremist violence extended beyond the northeast to other regions, resulting in significant areas falling outside government control. Armed groups in the northwest, separatists in the southeast, and various gangs operated increasingly freely across Nigeria.
The economic situation worsened during his presidency as Nigeria experienced a recession due to declining global oil prices and militant attacks in the Niger Delta region. Buhari’s unconventional monetary policies aimed at maintaining the currency’s fixed exchange rate led to a severe shortage of foreign currency. By 2022, oil production had dropped to its lowest point in over two decades due to crude oil theft, and double-digit inflation persisted throughout much of his tenure.
Buhari’s anti-corruption campaign, a central aspect of his political agenda, resulted in limited high-profile convictions and drew criticism for its lack of effectiveness. Rights groups accused him of maintaining autocratic tendencies reminiscent of his military rule, particularly following the 2020 youth protests against police brutality, which resulted in deadly shootings of demonstrators by soldiers.
His presidency was further complicated by extended medical absences abroad, causing concern among Nigerians and leading to some calls for his replacement. His frequent taxpayer-funded medical trips to London, while millions of Nigerians faced inadequate healthcare facilities, sparked public discontent. During one absence, Buhari stated 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 prevalent than when he took office. His administration’s inconsistent response to various crises highlighted the challenges of uniting a country divided between its largely Muslim north and Christian south.
As a Muslim, Buhari is expected to be buried according to Islamic rites in his home state of Katsina in northwestern Nigeria. He was married twice and had ten children. President Tinubu described him as a patriot, soldier, and statesman who served Nigeria with unwavering dedication, noting that his legacy of service and sacrifice would endure despite the challenges that marked his time in office.
