Olusegun Adeyemo
In a solemn moment that has enveloped the country in grief and contemplation, Nigerians from all walks of life are mourning the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari. The late statesman, who served both as military Head of State (1983–1985) and as a democratically elected President (2015–2023), died in a London clinic on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at the age of 82.
Tributes have continued to pour in from across the country and beyond, as political figures, public commentators, and citizens reflect on the life and legacy of a man whose journey through Nigeria’s political and military history was as significant as it was controversial.
In an interview with The Journal Nigeria, Mr. Ademola Solalu, former Special Adviser on Information and Orientation to the late Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, described Buhari as a man who “lived a fulfilled life”—a phrase he repeated with reverence and emotion.
“He lived a fulfilled life as a former Head of State, a military leader, and also as a democratically elected civilian president who served two full terms,” Mr. Solalu said. “I didn’t even know he was out of the country until I heard the news of his death,” he added, his voice drifting into silence—a mark of the shock and suddenness that surrounded the announcement.
Solalu acknowledged that while Buhari’s administration was not without criticism, his overall contribution to the Nigerian state remains indelible. “He served in capacities very few men ever achieve in one lifetime. From the barracks to the ballot, he was a symbol of endurance, discipline, and national identity.”
He concluded with a prayer: “May Almighty Allah grant his family the strength and grace to bear this irreparable loss. May the soul of our former president rest in eternal peace.”
Honourable Femi Adebisi, a renowned media consultant and public affairs analyst, also joined the growing chorus of mourners. He described Buhari’s death as “a great loss to the country” and praised the former president’s impact on Nigeria’s democracy.
“He played his part in ensuring Nigeria enjoyed the dividends of democracy,” said Adebisi. “Whether it was through his focus on infrastructure, agricultural reform, or the anti-corruption drive, President Buhari’s administration shaped several pivotal national conversations.”
Adebisi acknowledged that Buhari’s leadership was divisive at times, but he stressed that it was equally defined by perseverance. “His leadership, though not without criticism, was marked by determination and resilience,” he said. “He governed with a deep belief in discipline and national order.”
Across Nigeria, Buhari’s passing has triggered a wave of national mourning. The federal government has ordered that flags be flown at half-mast for seven days, and religious institutions across the country have been holding special prayers for his soul. From the streets of Daura, his hometown in Katsina State, to government offices in Abuja, the air is heavy with grief and remembrance.
Internationally, messages of condolence have arrived from world leaders and diplomatic missions, with tributes acknowledging Buhari’s contributions to regional peace, anti-corruption initiatives, and democratic stability in West Africa.
In many quarters, there is recognition of the paradox that defined his public life—a man of stern discipline and frugal habits, yet one who presided over turbulent years marked by economic hardship and political tension. Still, his admirers point to his consistency, his military-style sense of duty, and his ability to remain personally untainted by scandals in an era of widespread political excess.
For millions of Nigerians, particularly in the North, Buhari was more than a politician—he was a moral figurehead, a man who, even in disagreement, commanded respect.
As the nation prepares for his burial, expected to be conducted in line with Islamic rites, attention turns to the legacy he leaves behind. From reforms in Nigeria’s petroleum and electoral sectors to his championing of youth inclusion and infrastructure expansion, Buhari’s mark on Nigeria’s history is complex but undeniably significant.
Whether one supported or opposed him, the death of Muhammadu Buhari has reminded Nigerians of the weight of public service and the impermanence of power.
In mourning him, the country pauses to reflect not just on his life, but also on the ideals he represented—discipline, patriotism, and a vision of national unity anchored in moral leadership.