Nigeria is set to bid farewell to one of its most influential leaders, former President Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away yesterday, July 13, 2025, in a London hospital at the age of 82.
His burial is set to take place tomorrow, July 15, at his private residence in Daura, Katsina State, in accordance with Islamic rites.
His remains are expected to arrive by noon, with the burial scheduled for 2:00 p.m. tomorrow.
In light of this, the Katsina State Governor and Chairman of the North West Governors’ Forum, Dikko Radda, has declared tomorrow a public holiday across all seven Northwest states in honour of the late statesman.
“He lived a life of service, integrity, and sacrifice for the betterment of Nigeria,” Radda stated, calling Buhari “our father, our leader, and the pride of the Northwest region.”
The funeral arrangements were made following consultations with Buhari’s family and close associates in London, where he had been receiving treatment for a prolonged illness.
While the exact nature of his condition was not publicly disclosed, Buhari had previously battled significant health challenges, most notably in 2017 when he spent several months in the United Kingdom for medical treatment.
A high-level delegation led by Vice President Kashim Shettima and Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, has arrived in London to oversee the repatriation of the body.
They were received by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, and other senior officials. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who succeeded Buhari in 2023, ordered that national flags be flown at half-mast and directed that all arrangements be made for a dignified burial.
Back in Daura, the atmosphere is solemn as mourners continue to gather at the late president’s residence. Friends, family, political allies, and community members have paid tribute to Buhari, remembering him as a leader of humility, discipline, and generosity.
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One of his close associates, Sulaiman Yarin-Katsina, described him as a man “unwavering in simplicity and deeply connected to his roots.” Despite a heavy security presence around the Daura Emirate Council and the family home, commercial activity in the town remains ongoing.
Dignitaries who have already paid condolence visits include Katsina State Deputy Governor Faruk Jobe, APC State Chairman Sani Daura, AIG Zone 14 Aliyu Musa, and former SUBEB Chairman Lawal Daura. A larger gathering of national and international figures is expected at tomorrow’s burial.
A Life of Service
Born in 1942 in Daura, Katsina State, Muhammadu Buhari rose through the ranks of the Nigerian Army to become Head of State from 1983 to 1985 following a military coup.
He later returned to lead the country as a democratically elected president from 2015 to 2023, becoming Nigeria’s second-longest-serving leader with over nine years in power.
Buhari’s political journey was marked by tenacity. After three unsuccessful presidential bids—in 2003, 2007, and 2011—his Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) merged with other opposition parties in 2013 to form the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In 2015, he made history by defeating an incumbent president, Goodluck Jonathan.
During his presidency, Buhari prioritized anti-corruption efforts, infrastructure development, and agricultural reform.
While lauded for his discipline and incorruptible image, critics often cited inefficiency and lapses in oversight within his administration. Nevertheless, he remained a revered figure in northern Nigeria, where he was affectionately known as Baba Buhari.
His public service portfolio was extensive. He served as: Military Governor of Borno State (1976), Federal Commissioner for Petroleum and Natural Resources (1976), Founding Chairman of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) (1977), and Chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) under General Sani Abacha
Buhari was married to Safinatu Yusuf from 1971 until she died in 1988 and later to Aisha Halilu in 1989.
He was the father of ten children and was admired by supporters for his stoic lifestyle, strong nationalist views, and unwavering devotion to public service.
A Nation Mourns
Tributes have poured in and keep pouring in from across Nigeria and the international community.
President Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, and AfDB President Akinwumi Adesina have all lauded Buhari’s contributions to Nigeria’s political and economic landscape.
As the nation prepares for tomorrow’s burial, Buhari’s death marks the end of an era in Nigerian politics.
His legacy—rooted in discipline, resilience, and public accountability—continues to spark reflection among both supporters and critics.
In the quiet streets of Daura and the broader corners of Nigeria, the final homecoming of Muhammadu Buhari is not just the passing of a former president but the closing chapter of a man whose life has defined and shaped Nigeria’s current history.
Image Source: Channels Television
