Nigeria’s former President, Muhammadu Buhari, was laid to rest on Monday in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State, in line with Islamic rites, following his death in London on Sunday, July 13, 2025. He was 83.
President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and a host of former Nigerian leaders, dignitaries, and West African heads of state gathered in Daura to pay their last respects. Buhari’s body, accompanied by VP Shettima from the UK, arrived in the early hours of Monday and was buried the same day.
The Federal Government declared seven days of national mourning, ordered flags flown at half-staff, and scheduled an emergency Federal Executive Council session for Tuesday, July 15, in his honour.
In a personally signed tribute, President Tinubu described Buhari as “a patriot, a soldier, and a statesman,” highlighting his legacy of discipline, anti-corruption, and service. “Duty, honour, and a deep commitment to the unity and progress of our nation defined his life,” Tinubu wrote.
Former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Ibrahim Babangida, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, and numerous governors and political figures joined the chorus of tributes.
Obasanjo called Buhari “a statesman and soldier who played his part,” while Babangida, his military contemporary, hailed his humility and patriotism. Osinbajo, who served under Buhari from 2015 to 2023, said, “Nigeria has lost a true patriot.”
Contrasting scenes emerged across the country: Buhari’s Kaduna residence was solemn and tightly guarded, while his Daura home saw streams of mourners from within and beyond Katsina.
Governors across the political divide also offered their condolences. The Nigeria Governors’ Forum described Buhari as “a national political leader with moral courage and strategic patience.” APC governors praised his “honest and dedicated leadership,” while Northern governors called him “a moral compass.”
Tributes flowed from across party lines and regions — from Ogun to Benue, Gombe to Edo — with leaders recalling Buhari’s focus on national security, infrastructure, and discipline. Former Senate Presidents, ministers, and religious leaders echoed similar sentiments.
Known for his austere lifestyle and firm leadership style, Buhari served as Nigeria’s military Head of State (1984–1985) and later as a democratically elected president for two terms (2015–2023). Despite frequent medical trips to the UK — at least 13 during his presidency — Buhari maintained a strong support base and an enduring legacy, especially in the northern region.
In death, as in life, Buhari remains a polarizing yet pivotal figure in Nigeria’s history — a man whose leadership, values, and vision shaped decades of national discourse.
“May Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him Al-Jannah Firdaus,” President Tinubu concluded in his tribute.
