President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari, who died in London at approximately 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 13, following a prolonged illness.
In a solemn gesture of national respect, President Tinubu has directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to travel immediately to the United Kingdom to accompany the late leader’s remains back to Nigeria. The President also ordered that national flags be flown at half-mast across all government buildings and institutions as a mark of mourning.
President Tinubu expressed his condolences to Mrs. Aishat Buhari, the widow of the late president, and assured the nation that full state honors will be accorded to Buhari upon his return. Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced in the coming days.
Muhammadu Buhari served Nigeria as military Head of State from 1984 to 1985 and later as a democratically elected President from 2015 to 2023. His leadership spanned decades and left a lasting imprint on Nigeria’s political landscape.
“This is a moment of deep national reflection,” said Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. “President Tinubu calls on all Nigerians to unite in honoring the legacy of a man who dedicated his life to the service of the nation.”