Nigeria’s Former President Muhammadu Buhari dies at 82

Nigeria’s former President Muhammadu Buhari, who led Africa’s most populous nation first as a military ruler and later as a democratically elected leader, died on Sunday in London at the age of 82, the presidency said.

President Bola Tinubu said in a statement that Buhari died at about 4:30 p.m. (1530 GMT) following a prolonged illness. He did not disclose the nature of the illness.

“The family of the former president has announced the passing on of the former president, Muhammadu Buhari, this afternoon in a clinic in London,” Garba Shehu, who served as Buhari’s spokesman, wrote on social media.

Tinubu said he had spoken with Buhari’s widow and directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to travel to the United Kingdom to accompany the former leader’s body back to Nigeria.

He also ordered national flags to be flown at half-mast in Buhari’s honour.

Buhari first came to power as a military ruler following a coup in 1983 but was overthrown in 1985.

After years in the political wilderness, he re-emerged as a civilian politician, winning the presidency in 2015 and serving two terms until 2023.

His presidency was marked by persistent rumours about his health, which intensified during frequent trips abroad for medical treatment.

The nature of his illness was never publicly disclosed, but Buhari once said he had “never been so ill” and confirmed receiving blood transfusions.

His extended medical absences drew criticism over a perceived lack of transparency and raised concerns about the state of governance during his time abroad.

The repeated foreign trips also underscored the weaknesses of Nigeria’s own healthcare system, a point often raised by critics.

Buhari is survived by his wife and children. Further details on funeral arrangements were not immediately available.