Former President Muhammadu Buhari Dies in London Hospital Aged 82

RYNI Media: By Omotayo Stephen .O
13 July 2025

A monumental figure in Nigeria’s modern history has taken his final bow. Muhammadu Buhari, former military head of state and two-term civilian president, passed away peacefully on Sunday in a medical facility in London at the age of 82, marking the quiet end of a man whose leadership stirred both admiration and debate.

The announcement came via his longtime aide and former presidential spokesperson, Mallam Garba Shehu, who stated, “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 once bestrode Nigeria’s political and military arenas with austere discipline and nationalist fervor, leaves behind a complex legacy that spanned nearly five decades of public service—marked by military command, political resilience, and historical milestones.

Born in 1942 in Daura, Katsina State, Buhari’s journey from a northern town to Nigeria’s seat of power mirrored the nation’s own turbulent post-independence trajectory. Revered by some as a no-nonsense patriot and reviled by others as an unbending autocrat, Buhari’s life and leadership left no Nigerian indifferent.

Rising to prominence as a Major General in the Nigerian Army, Buhari first held sway over the nation as a military Head of State from January 1984 to August 1985, following a coup that promised a crusade against indiscipline and corruption. His time as a military ruler was as decisive as it was controversial, earning him both respect and criticism in equal measure.

Nearly a decade later, he was tapped by the late General Sani Abacha in 1994 to head the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF), where he supervised infrastructure and development projects that left a lasting imprint on the nation’s economic landscape.

But it was his tenacity in the democratic arena that defined his latter years. After three failed presidential bids, Buhari finally achieved victory in 2015, under the All Progressive Congress (APC), unseating incumbent Goodluck Jonathan—an unprecedented democratic transfer of power in Nigeria’s history. He was re-elected in 2019, completing his second term in 2023.

His presidency was marked by battles on multiple fronts— insurgency, economic downturns, anti-corruption efforts, and rising youth agitation. Through it all, Buhari maintained his trademark composure, winning both praise and criticism for his quiet, sometimes distant, style of leadership.

Decorated with the nation’s highest honours—Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR), among others—he also bore military medals such as the Defence Service Medal and Forces Service Star, and was awarded the Congo Medal and the Global Seal of Integrity.

As condolences flood in from world leaders, African presidents, and ordinary citizens, the nation stands at a reflective crossroads. Whether seen as a disciplined reformer or a reluctant democrat, one truth remains unshakable: Muhammadu Buhari was a man who defined—and defied—his times.

Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced in the coming days.

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