Former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, has passed away on Sunday afternoon at the age of 82 in a London clinic, his spokesperson, Garba Shehu, announced.
Shehu conveyed the family’s statement on X, adding a prayer: “May Allah accept him in Aljannatul Firdaus, Amin.” Buhari had been receiving treatment at the London hospital for several weeks, having traveled to the United Kingdom in April for what was initially described as a routine medical check-up, before his health reportedly deteriorated.
A towering figure in Nigerian politics, Buhari served as the nation’s democratically elected president from 2015 to 2023, completing two constitutionally permitted terms before stepping down on May 29, 2023. Prior to his civilian presidency, he also held the position of military head of state from January 1984 to August 1985. His health had been a subject of public attention, as he regularly sought medical care in London during his presidency. While sources indicated a significant improvement after he left office, his condition reportedly deteriorated again in April 2025, leading to his continued treatment overseas until his passing.
Born on December 17, 1942, in Daura, Katsina State, to Adamu and Zulaiha Buhari, he was raised by his mother after his father’s death when he was about four. His early education took him through primary schools in Daura and Maiduguri from 1948 to 1952, followed by Katsina Middle School in 1953, and Katsina Provincial Secondary School (now Government College, Katsina) from 1956–1961, where he obtained his West African School Certificate. He was married to Safinatu Yusuf from 1971 to 1988, and to Aisha Halilu since 1989, and is survived by ten children.
Buhari embarked on his distinguished military career in 1961, joining the Nigerian Army upon admission to the Nigerian Military Training College, Kaduna. His training continued at the Mons Officer Cadet School in Aldershot, England (1962-1963), leading to his commission as a Second Lieutenant in January 1963. He further honed his skills at the Nigerian Military College, Kaduna (1963-1964), and the Army Mechanical Transport School in Borden, England (1965). His advanced military education included the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, India (1973), and the United States Army War College (1979-1980).
Throughout his illustrious career, he held numerous pivotal command and staff roles, alongside significant political appointments. These included Military Secretary; Member, Supreme Military Council; Military Governor of the North Eastern State; Federal Commissioner of Petroleum Resources; Chairman, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation; and General Officer Commanding of both the 4th Infantry and 3rd Armoured Divisions. His ascent to power as Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces came after the December 1983 military coup, a position he maintained until his ousting in another coup in August 1985.