Death and Funeral
Former President Muhammadu Buhari died on July 13, 2025, in a London clinic at age 82 after a prolonged illness (Al Jazeera). His body was repatriated and buried on July 15 in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State, during a state funeral with military honors and a 21-gun salute (Reuters). President Bola Tinubu declared seven days of national mourning, lowered flags to half-staff, and declared a public holiday for the funeral (Reuters).
Political Journey
Buhari’s rise spanned military rule and democratic leadership. Muhammadu Buhari first seized power via a military coup in 1983, ruling as head of state until being ousted in 1985 (The Guardian). Returning to public life, he was elected president in 2015, becoming the first opposition candidate in modern Nigeria to unseat an incumbent, then re-elected in 2019, and served until 2023 (The Guardian).
Core Objectives & Achievements
1. Anti-Corruption Campaign
Muhammadu Buhari hallmark was a staunch anti-corruption drive. His administration recovered over US $300 million in stolen assets and implemented structural reforms like the Treasury Single Account to centralize federal revenues (Wikipedia). He earned praise from figures including a former UK minister and U.S. Secretary of State for tackling graft .
2. Security Agenda
Facing Boko Haram and other insurgents, Buhari committed to countering terrorism. While he declared Boko Haram “technically defeated,” the insurgency persisted. Nationwide insecurity remained high, with terrorism, separatist violence, and banditry surging under his tenure (The Guardian).
Criticisms and Shortcomings
1. Human Rights and Authoritarian Tendencies
Critics accused Buhari of authoritarianism: widespread human rights abuses, suppression of dissent, and censorship—echoes of his earlier military rule .
2. Economic Challenges
During his presidency, Nigeria experienced two recessions, high unemployment, and currency depreciation. Policies to support the naira, such as removing shade trees from currency markets, did little to revitalize manufacturing or alleviate foreign exchange shortages .
3. Health and Governance Transparency
Repeated absences for medical treatment—most infamously a 104-day stay in the UK in 2018—fueled controversy and rumors of poor governance and even conspiracy theories (The Guardian).
Global and Regional Reactions
Statements of condolences poured in worldwide. The African Union praised Buhari as a principled leader. ECOWAS lauded his contributions to regional unity (Naija News). Leaders including India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala extended tributes for his integrity and service (Naija News). President Tinubu and former leaders Goodluck Jonathan and Ibrahim Babangida also paid homage during his burial (Naija News).
Complex Legacy
- Anti-Corruption: Credited for cleansing systems, though critics question the depth and impartiality of prosecutions .
- Security: Gains against Boko Haram hardened but overall safety across Nigeria declined.
- Economy: His tenure coincided with economic contraction and currency strain.
- Governance: His strict style evoked nostalgia for some, but his detachment frustrated others.
Supporters admired his discipline and sincerity—often calling him “Sai Baba” (our father). Detractors saw a leader who promised transformation but delivered mixed results (Reuters).
In Summary
Muhammadu Buhari’s journey—from military general to elected president—mirrored Nigeria’s own complex evolution. Existing as both “converted democrat” and stern disciplinarian, he embodied integrity for many while also enforcing authoritarian limitations. His anti-corruption achievements remain unmatched, yet economic decline and pervasive insecurity overshadowed parts of his tenure. As Nigeria mourns, analysts reflect on his nuanced legacy: one of firm ideals, contested outcomes, and enduring influence on the nation’s democratic resilience.
