From Soldier to Statesman: Buhari Passes On at 82

Nigeria’s former president and ex-military ruler, Muhammadu Buhari, has died at the age of 82.

Buhari passed away on Saturday afternoon in London, United Kingdom, where he had been receiving medical attention for an undisclosed illness. Details surrounding his death remain limited, but confirmation came from his longtime media aide, Garba Shehu, in a social media post released at 5:11 p.m.

“The family of the former President has announced the passing on of Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, this afternoon in a clinic in London. May Allah accept him in Aljannatul Firdaus. Amin,” Shehu wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Buhari’s death brings an end to a political journey that shaped Nigeria’s modern history. Born on December 17, 1942, in the northern town of Daura in Katsina State, Buhari began his public life in the Nigerian Army. He eventually rose to national prominence after taking power in a military coup on December 31, 1983, at the age of 41.

His regime, defined by strict anti-corruption campaigns and a reputation for discipline, lasted until he was ousted in another coup in August 1985. For the next two decades, he remained on the fringes of politics, making several unsuccessful presidential bids before finally winning the 2015 election under the All Progressives Congress (APC).

His election marked a turning point in Nigeria’s democratic evolution the first time a sitting president was defeated at the ballot box. Buhari was re-elected in 2019 and served two full terms, stepping down in May 2023.

His presidency drew mixed reactions lauded by supporters for initiating key infrastructure projects and taking a hard stance against corruption, yet criticised for persistent economic hardship, rising insecurity, and a perceived intolerance for dissent. His leadership style, often described as austere and no-nonsense, sparked both admiration and concern at home and abroad.

As tributes pour in from across the country and beyond, Buhari is being remembered as a leader whose rule both in uniform and in civilian dress.  For many, Buhari remains a towering figure in Nigeria’s post-independence history, a man whose legacy is as complex as the country he once led.