Former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari Dies at 82

Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria’s former president and a towering figure in the country’s political history, passed away on July 13, 2025, at the age of 82. His death was announced by the Nigerian presidency in a statement, confirming that he died in a London clinic after a prolonged illness. Buhari’s passing marks the end of an era for Nigeria, a country he served both as a military ruler and as a democratically elected leader.

From Military Leader to Democratic President

Buhari was born in December 1942 in Daura, Katsina state, in Nigeria’s northern region. A Fulani Muslim, he completed military training in Kaduna state, Great Britain, India, and the United States. His rise to prominence began in 1975 when he became the military governor of Borno state following a coup that overthrew Yakubu Gowon. In 1983, Buhari himself seized power in another military coup, ruling Nigeria with an iron fist until he was ousted in 1985.

Despite his authoritarian tenure as a military leader, Buhari transitioned into democratic politics, running for president unsuccessfully three times before finally securing a historic victory in 2015. According to BBC, he was the first opposition candidate in Nigeria’s history to defeat an incumbent president. He was re-elected in 2019 for another four-year term, cementing his status as a significant figure in Nigeria’s post-independence political landscape.

A Legacy of Anti-Corruption and Security Challenges

Throughout his presidency, Buhari was known for his strong anti-corruption stance. He campaigned on promises to root out corruption in a country often described as “fantastically corrupt,” a term famously used by former British Prime Minister David Cameron. Under his administration, efforts were made to recover stolen assets and prosecute corrupt officials. However, critics argued that these efforts were often selective and politically motivated.

Security was another cornerstone of Buhari’s presidency. He promised to defeat Boko Haram, the Islamist militant group terrorizing Nigeria’s northeastern region. While some progress was made, Boko Haram remained a persistent threat, and new security challenges emerged, including banditry in the northwest and deadly clashes between farmers and Fulani herders in central Nigeria. As noted by CNN, Buhari’s critics accused him of not doing enough to address these crises, particularly the herder-farmer conflicts, given his own Fulani heritage.

Economic Struggles and Public Perception

Buhari’s tenure coincided with a severe economic downturn driven by a global slump in oil prices. Nigeria, Africa’s largest oil producer, faced its worst economic crisis in decades during his presidency. High unemployment rates and inflation worsened living conditions for many Nigerians, particularly the poor, who had been among Buhari’s most ardent supporters. Despite these challenges, he retained a reputation for personal integrity, a rare quality in Nigerian politics, as highlighted by Bloomberg.

Nevertheless, Buhari was often criticized for being aloof and detached from the realities faced by ordinary Nigerians. His austere personality and perceived lack of communication further alienated him from segments of the population, diminishing his popularity toward the end of his second term.

Reactions to His Passing

Current Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu expressed his condolences to Buhari’s family and ordered Vice President Kashim Shettima to travel to London to accompany Buhari’s body back to Nigeria. Tributes poured in from across the political spectrum, with many acknowledging his contributions to Nigeria’s political evolution and his commitment to public service. According to Reuters, Buhari’s death has sparked a national dialogue on his complex legacy, which is both celebrated and critiqued in equal measure.

Buhari’s passing closes a chapter in Nigeria’s history, leaving behind a mixed legacy of hope, challenges, and enduring debates about leadership in Africa’s most populous nation.