By Boluwatife Adedokun
Former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari was buried on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at his residence in Daura, Katsina State, two days after his death at a London hospital at the age of 82.
His remains were received at Katsina Airport by President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and top government officials before being transported to Daura for Islamic funeral rites. Dignitaries from within and outside the country, including Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, attended the solemn ceremony.
Amid ceremonial gun salutes and a crowd of mourners, Buhari was interred in the grounds of his ancestral home, marking the end of an era for one of Nigeria’s most influential and controversial leaders.
A Life Etched in Power and Simplicity
Born on December 17, 1942, to Adamu and Zulaiha Buhari in Daura, Buhari was a devout Muslim and a proud Fulani man. His journey into national consciousness began in the Nigerian Army, where he rose to the rank of Major General, eventually leading the country as Head of State from 1983 to 1985, after overthrowing the civilian government in a military coup.
In his 20 months as military ruler, Buhari launched the War Against Indiscipline (WAI), a controversial campaign aimed at restoring public morality and national order—often enforced with stiff military-style discipline. He was deposed in 1985 by General Ibrahim Babangida, who, years later, still described Buhari as “a moral compass and an example of modesty in public life.”
Far from disappearing from national relevance, Buhari returned to public service in 1994 as the Executive Chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) under Sani Abacha. Yet his biggest political act was still to come.
The Civilian Turn: From Rejection to Redemption
After three failed attempts at the presidency, Buhari finally broke through in 2015, defeating incumbent Goodluck Jonathan to become Nigeria’s first opposition candidate to unseat a sitting president through democratic elections. He was re-elected in 2019.
His presidency, defined by a no-nonsense image and a stated commitment to anti-corruption, saw the introduction of signature policies like the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme to support agriculture, and the border closure policy to boost local production. Infrastructure development and digital initiatives were key pillars of his administration.
However, critics pointed to persistent economic hardship, growing insecurity, and the perception that his anti-corruption fight was selective. Under his watch, the economy slid into two recessions, with youth unemployment and inflation reaching worrying levels.
Buhari’s frequent medical trips to the United Kingdom, including during his presidency, stirred controversy and debate over transparency and the health of a sitting president. Yet, through it all, he remained personally reserved, more often heard through official statements than seen in fiery public addresses.
A Leader, A Symbol
Despite his mixed legacy, Buhari’s death has triggered a wave of tributes from across political and ideological divides. Former President Goodluck Jonathan, his political rival, described him as “selfless in his commitment to duty,” while President Tinubu declared a seven-day national mourning, ordering flags flown at half-mast across the country and announcing a public holiday in his honour.
For many, Buhari was more than his policies. He was a symbol of discipline, a paradox of silence and strength, and a constant presence in Nigeria’s turbulent political evolution. Married to Aisha Buhari, with several children, the late leader preferred a quiet personal life, even in power.
Legacy and Memory
In his final act of departure, Buhari returned to the soil that birthed him. His burial was marked by simplicity—no political campaign, no media theatrics, just tradition, respect, and closure.
As Daura goes quiet once again, and the national flags continue to fly at half-mast, Buhari’s memory becomes part of Nigeria’s enduring political narrative—a tale of ambition, discipline, contradiction, and legacy.
For better or worse, Muhammadu Buhari’s name will remain etched in Nigeria’s history, not just as a man who ruled twice, but as one who, in life and death, demanded the nation’s attention.
