Daura, Katsina State — July 15, 2025
Nigeria has laid to rest one of its most influential and controversial leaders, Mahamadu Buhari, who passed away on Saturday, July 13, 2025, at the age of 82 in London. A former military head of state and two-term civilian president, Buhari was buried on Tuesday, July 15 in his hometown of Daura, located in the northern region of Katsina State.
The funeral, conducted according to Islamic rites, drew high-level dignitaries from across Africa and beyond. Thousands of mourners, including military personnel, political leaders, and citizens, gathered to pay their last respects to a man who shaped Nigeria’s political landscape across two eras—military and democratic.
🕯️ A Patriotic Send-Off
Buhari’s remains were flown from London to Abuja, and then on to Daura, where he was interred beside his mother and siblings. Islamic clerics led the Janazah (funeral prayers) at the central mosque, followed by a solemn procession to his family home.
“Today, we say goodbye to a patriot who served with discipline, honour, and an unwavering commitment to Nigeria,” said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who led the federal delegation.
🌍 Tributes from African and Global Leaders
Several current and former heads of state sent tributes or were represented at the funeral:
- 🇮🇳 Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India praised Buhari as a “towering African leader” and lauded his efforts in global peace and anti-corruption.
- 🇬🇭 Former Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo, in a statement, called Buhari “a firm pan-African voice whose presence on the continent will be sorely missed.”
- 🇳🇪 Former President Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger attended in person, noting Buhari’s regional diplomacy and security cooperation.
- 🇬🇼 President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea-Bissau joined the funeral rites and described Buhari as “a disciplined elder statesman.”
Buhari’s former Nigerian predecessor, Goodluck Jonathan, remembered him as a “dedicated leader whose legacy will continue to spark debate, but whose commitment to the nation was never in doubt.”
📖 A Legacy of Discipline and Debate
Mahamadu Buhari first seized power as military head of state in 1983, launching a strict regime focused on anti-corruption and national discipline. After being ousted in 1985, he returned three decades later to lead Nigeria as a democratically elected president from 2015 to 2023, the first opposition candidate to defeat an incumbent.
While his administration was credited with launching massive infrastructure projects and restoring international respect for Nigeria, it also faced criticism over press freedom, insecurity, and economic downturns.
🏁 Final Reflections
As the sun set over Daura on Tuesday evening, chants of “Allahu Akbar” filled the air as Nigerians from all walks of life gathered for a final moment of reflection. While Mahamadu Buhari’s policies often sparked debate, his impact on the country is undeniable.
His death marks the end of an era — of a soldier-turned-statesman whose journey embodied Nigeria’s turbulent path from military rule to democratic governance.
“May Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him Al-Jannah,” prayed the Imam as the nation lowered its flag in mourning.
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