Former President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, is dead.
The news was confirmed on Sunday afternoon by his former spokesperson, Mallam Garba Shehu. According to Shehu, the former president passed away in a hospital in the United Kingdom earlier in the day.
In a brief statement released to the press, Shehu said: “The family of the former president has announced the passing on of the former president, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, this afternoon in a clinic in London. May Allah accept him in Aljannatul Firdaus.”
Buhari, who served as Nigeria’s president from 2015 to 2023, was a former military Head of State before being democratically elected under the All Progressives Congress (APC). His presidency was marked by a strong stance against corruption, a controversial economic policy direction, and heightened security challenges across the country.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu officially announced Buhari’s passing, describing it as a profound national loss. A statement from the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed that Buhari died at about 4:30 p.m. after a prolonged illness.
“President Tinubu has spoken with Mrs. Aisha Buhari, the former President’s widow, and offered his deep condolences,” Onanuga noted.
In immediate response to the incident, President Tinubu has directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to travel to the United Kingdom and accompany the late president’s body back to Nigeria.
The President also ordered all national flags to be flown at half-staff across the country as a mark of respect for the departed statesman.
Buhari, 81, served as Nigeria’s Head of State between 1983 and 1985 before returning to power democratically in 2015, serving two terms until 2023. His time in office was marked by a fierce anti-corruption campaign, economic reforms, and a controversial handling of security and fuel subsidy policies.
