Muhammadu Buhari died at 82 in a London clinic on Sunday, July 13, 2025. The news stunned a nation that had watched him lead first as a military head of state, then as a civilian president for eight years. While his health had been a subject of speculation for years, the manner and timing of his passing still shocked many.
Buhari’s death was officially confirmed on the afternoon of July 13, 2025 by his spokesperson Garba Shehu and former aide Bashir Ahmad.
Time of Passing: He died at approximately 4:30 p.m. at a private clinic in London, where he had been receiving treatment for a prolonged illness.
Final Moments: According to his nephew, Mamman Daura, the former president was in relatively good spirits the night before and was even preparing for discharge. However, he suffered a sudden medical relapse in the early hours of Sunday. The relapse led to breathing complications, and efforts to stabilize him were unsuccessful.
Cause of Death Reported: While the Presidency did not release detailed clinical records, several public sources reported Leukemia as the cause of death. Leukemia is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow, and it aligns with the pattern of long-term medical trips Buhari made to the UK during and after his presidency. The family and government emphasized that he had been managing a prolonged illness before the final relapse.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu responded within hours. He directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to travel immediately to the United Kingdom to accompany Buhari’s body back to Nigeria for burial. Tinubu also ordered all national flags to be flown at half-mast for seven days as a mark of respect.Buhari’s remains were flown from London to Nigeria. He was laid to rest in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State, in line with Islamic rites. The ceremony drew government dignitaries, traditional rulers, and thousands of mourners who lined the streets of Daura. Prayers were led by Islamic clerics, and tributes poured in from across the political divide.
Buhari’s death sparked mixed reactions. For supporters, he was a leader of discipline, anti-corruption focus, and austere personal conduct. For critics, his tenure was defined by security challenges, economic hardship, and extended medical absences abroad. Both views collided in the tributes that flooded radio, television, and social media.
Before his passing, Aisha Buhari shared a public message from her husband. In it, Buhari asked Nigerians to forgive his mistakes and thanked the country for the privilege to serve. The message was widely circulated and became one of the most quoted lines in the days after his death.
Whether one remembers him as “Baba” the soldier-turned-president or as a controversial figure of Nigeria’s recent history, July 13, 2025, closed a long chapter. From Daura to London, from military barracks to Aso Villa, Buhari’s life traced the arc of Nigeria’s post-independence story.
The shock was not only in the loss of a former president, but in the reminder that even the most powerful figures face a sudden, human end. A night of good spirits, a morning relapse, and by afternoon, a nation was in mourning…See More
Buhari’s remains were flown from London to Nigeria. He was laid to rest in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State, in line with Islamic rites. The ceremony drew government dignitaries, traditional rulers, and thousands of mourners who lined the streets of Daura. Prayers were led by Islamic clerics, and tributes poured in from across the political divide.
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