Former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari Dies at 82 After Prolonged Illness in London

Nigeria's President Buhari attends the commissioning of Dangote Petroleum refinery in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos

Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria’s former president who once ruled as a military leader before being elected twice as a civilian, died Sunday in London at the age of 82 following a prolonged illness. His death was confirmed by both his longtime aide Garba Shehu and current President Bola Tinubu.

President Tinubu, in an official statement, said Buhari passed away at approximately 4:30 p.m. London time. Although no specific illness was disclosed, Buhari’s health had long been a subject of national concern and speculation, especially during his two presidential terms from 2015 to 2023.

Buhari first rose to power in 1983 through a military coup, leading with a strict hand before being overthrown 18 months later. He reemerged on the political scene decades later, branding himself a "converted democrat" and securing an historic electoral victory in 2015, becoming the first Nigerian opposition candidate to defeat an incumbent president at the ballot box.

During his civilian rule, Buhari was praised for his anti-corruption rhetoric but criticized for ineffective leadership, a failing economy, and worsening insecurity. Despite questions surrounding his health and controversial economic decisions, Buhari was reelected in 2019 for a second term.

Throughout his presidency, Buhari made frequent medical trips to the UK, sparking criticism over government transparency. In one notable moment, he admitted to never being so ill and undergoing multiple blood transfusions. His long absences from Nigeria fueled public frustration, especially amid rising violence and a declining economy.

The perception of Buhari’s leadership was further strained by revelations from his former spokesperson Garba Shehu. In a recently released memoir, Shehu admitted to fabricating a story in 2017 about rats invading the presidential office to distract the public from concerns over Buhari’s extended medical leave.

Tinubu has ordered Nigeria’s flags to fly at half-staff and instructed Vice President Kashim Shettima to travel to the UK to accompany Buhari’s body back home.

Born on December 17, 1942, in Daura, Katsina State, Buhari joined the military at 19 and rose to the rank of major-general. His 1983 takeover promised to restore order to a mismanaged nation, and he became known for his no-nonsense style—regulating everything from IMF negotiations to behavior in public spaces.

His regime, however, faced major controversies, including a failed 1984 plot to abduct a former Nigerian minister living in exile in the UK. The plan was foiled by airport officials in London, and the international fallout contributed to his removal from power by General Ibrahim Babangida.

For decades, Buhari remained a marginal political figure, contesting multiple presidential elections before achieving victory in 2015. He often told Nigerians, “I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody,” a phrase that came to define both his mystique and the perceived detachment of his leadership.

Despite initial optimism, Buhari’s presidency was marked by growing insecurity. Violence spread across regions—terrorist groups in the northeast, banditry in the northwest, and separatist unrest in the southeast overwhelmed security forces and exposed the limits of his administration’s control.

Economically, his early indecision led to sharp downturns. His six-month delay in naming a cabinet after assuming office earned him the nickname “Baba Go Slow.” Nigeria slipped into its first recession in over 25 years, compounded by militant attacks on oil infrastructure and fluctuating crude prices.

In a 2020 op-ed, acclaimed Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie described Buhari’s administration as “a failure of leadership,” citing governmental indifference and ineffectiveness.

Despite his mixed legacy, Buhari remained a towering figure in Nigeria’s post-independence history, revered by some for his austere discipline and condemned by others for missed opportunities during a critical era for Africa’s most populous nation.