London, July 14, 2025 — Nigeria is mourning the loss of one of its most prominent political figures, former President Muhammadu Buhari, who has passed away in London at the age of 82.
According to family sources and officials close to the former leader, Buhari died peacefully in a London hospital where he had been receiving medical care in recent weeks. The cause of death has not been officially disclosed, but reports indicate it followed a brief illness.
Buhari, a retired Major General, first rose to national prominence after leading a military government from 1983 to 1985, following a coup that ousted the civilian administration of President Shehu Shagari. He later returned to power as a democratically elected president in 2015, marking a historic moment in Nigeria’s political landscape as the first opposition candidate to defeat an incumbent.
He served two consecutive terms from 2015 to 2023, during which he focused on anti-corruption efforts, economic reforms, and security challenges, especially in the fight against Boko Haram insurgents in the northeast.
Current President Bola Ahmed Tinubu expressed deep sorrow at the news, describing Buhari as "a patriot who dedicated his life to the service of Nigeria." Tributes have also poured in from leaders across Africa and beyond, recognizing his influence on regional stability and democratic transitions.
Buhari is survived by his wife, Aisha Buhari, and several children. Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced in the coming days, with speculation that he will be laid to rest in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State.
As the nation reflects on his legacy, many Nigerians remember him as a disciplined, if controversial, leader whose impact on the country’s political evolution will be long