In a solemn announcement on Sunday , July 13, 2025, the family of former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, confirmed his passing at a private clinic in London. The late statesman, aged 82, reportedly died peacefully in the afternoon hours, following an undisclosed illness.
The official statement, signed by his longtime media aide Garba Shehu, expressed deep sorrow over the loss, invoking the Islamic prayer, “Inna Lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un”, a phrase meaning “To God we belong and to Him we shall return.” Shehu prayed for Allah’s mercy upon the departed leader and asked that he be granted eternal rest in Aljannatul Firdaus.
Born on December 17, 1942, Muhammadu Buhari was a retired Major General in the Nigerian Army who first rose to national prominence after leading a military coup in December 1983. He later returned to the national stage as a democratically elected president, serving two terms from 2015 to 2023. His presidency was marked by a strong anti-corruption drive, military campaigns against Boko Haram insurgents, and major infrastructure initiatives, though his administration also faced criticism over economic challenges and human rights concerns.
Since leaving office, Buhari had largely retired from the public eye, residing between his home state of Katsina and occasional travels abroad, particularly to the United Kingdom for medical care. His passing brings to a close the chapter of a figure deeply woven into Nigeria’s military and democratic history.
Condolences have already begun to pour in from across the political spectrum, as Nigerians reflect on the legacy of a man who once said his greatest desire was to leave a better country for future generations. Burial arrangements and official state tributes are expected to be announced in the coming hours.
