By Muhammadu Buhari
Nigerian government mourns former president
Summary
- President Tinubu announces Buhari’s death, orders national mourning
- Flags to fly at half-staff across Nigeria in honour of the former leader
- Vice President Shettima to accompany Buhari’s body home from London
- Funeral arrangements to be announced later
Abuja, Nigeria – The Federal Government of Nigeria has confirmed, with deep sorrow, the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, who died on Sunday, 13 July 2025, in London at the age of 81.
In a statement issued from the State House, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu officially announced the former leader’s death. According to the statement signed by Presidential Adviser on Media and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, Buhari died at approximately 4:30 pm after a prolonged illness for which he had been receiving treatment in the United Kingdom since April.
Buhari had been receiving treatment in London since April 2025 after initially travelling for a routine medical check-up. His condition worsened in recent weeks, although his aides had previously maintained that he remained stable.
To honour the statesman’s memory and service, President Tinubu has directed that Nigeria’s national flags be flown at half-staff for seven days beginning Monday, 14 July 2025. Additionally, he has dispatched Vice President Kashim Shettima to the United Kingdom to coordinate the return of the late president’s remains to his homeland.
President Tinubu also reached out personally to the widow of the former president, Mrs Aishat Buhari, extending his heartfelt condolences.
Buhari, who first served as Nigeria’s military Head of State between January 1984 and August 1985, later returned to office as a democratically elected president in 2015. He completed two constitutionally permitted terms, leaving office in May 2023.
In 2017 and 2018, he spent extended periods in London for medical care, prompting unfounded claims about his death and the controversial rumour that he had been replaced by a Sudanese lookalike, claims he consistently debunked.
Funeral arrangements are yet to be announced, but further details are expected as Vice President Shettima returns with the late president’s remains in the coming days.
