Pius Nsabe
The body of Nigeria’s former president, Muhammadu Buhari, who died at the age of 82 in a London clinic on Sunday, will be flown back to Nigeria for burial in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State.
Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina, who is currently in London with the late president’s family, confirmed that the body will arrive Nigeria on Monday for a burial later in the day, in accordance with Islamic rites. Radda told German broadcaster DW Hausa that the plan is to leave London in the morning to ensure a prompt funeral.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, who is also in the UK, will accompany the remains on the return journey and has confirmed via social media that Daura, Buhari’s ancestral town, will be his final resting place.
Although Buhari was Nigeria’s former leader, there will be no elaborate state funeral. Islamic cleric Abdullahi Garangamawa told the BBC that this aligns with Islamic customs, which call for immediate burial. He explained that only logistical delays or nighttime arrival would push the burial to Tuesday morning.
“The only thing that should stop Buhari’s corpse from being buried today [Monday] is if his body arrives in Daura at night, because Islam frowns at night burials,” Garangamawa said.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is expected to attend the funeral prayer in Daura, has declared a seven-day national mourning period. In an official statement on Sunday evening, Tinubu announced that Nigerian flags would fly at half-mast nationwide, beginning immediately, as a mark of respect for the late leader.
Buhari, a former army general and one of only two men to serve Nigeria both as a military head of state and a democratically elected president, died following a brief illness. Though specifics of his ailment were not disclosed, he had battled health issues for many years during and after his presidency.
Condolences have poured in from across Nigeria and beyond. Former President Goodluck Jonathan, whom Buhari defeated in the landmark 2015 election, praised his successor’s character and patriotism.
“He was selfless in his commitment to his duty and served the country with character and a deep sense of patriotism,” Jonathan stated.
Even General Ibrahim Babangida, the former military ruler who overthrew Buhari in a 1985 coup, offered a moving tribute. He described the late Buhari as “a moral compass to many, and an example of modesty in public life.”
Buhari’s election in 2015 marked Nigeria’s first peaceful transition of power from an incumbent to an opposition candidate—an event widely viewed as a milestone in the country’s democratic journey. He served two terms, stepping down in 2023.
Despite criticism over his handling of the economy and security challenges, Buhari was widely respected for his spartan lifestyle, personal discipline, and strong stance against corruption. His legacy continues to inspire fierce debate and admiration across political and generational lines.
As his body makes its way back to Daura, Nigerians from all walks of life prepare to bid farewell to a leader who left a lasting imprint on the nation’s political and social fabric.