Nigeria Mourns Former President Muhammadu Buhari, Dead At 81

Nigeria is in mourning following the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away at the age of 81.

The news was confirmed by his former aide, Bashir Ahmad, in a message posted on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter):
“President Muhammadu Buhari is dead. May Allah accept him in Aljannatul Firdaus. Amin,” Ahmad wrote.

Buhari served as Nigeria’s democratically elected president from 2015 to 2023, after an earlier stint as military Head of State from 1983 to 1985. A prominent and often polarising figure in Nigeria’s political and military history, Buhari was best known for his austere persona and unyielding stance against corruption — a defining theme of his administration.

His presidency grappled with major national challenges, including two economic recessions, the persistent Boko Haram insurgency, and mounting calls for political restructuring. Despite these trials, Buhari retained a reputation for personal discipline and integrity, especially among his loyal base.

Tributes have begun to pour in from across the country and abroad, reflecting on the legacy of a man whose influence on Nigeria’s governance spanned more than four decades. His tenure left an indelible mark on the nation’s political trajectory.

Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced by the family, in accordance with Islamic rites.