Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has expressed profound sorrow and a heavy heart on the news of the passing of his predecessor, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, who departed life on Sunday, July 13, at a hospital in the United Kingdom.
The president, in a personally written statement on Sunday, on the passing of the former president, Muhammadu Buhari, praised the legacy of service and sacrifice of the ex-president, saying to the very core, the former leader was a patriot, a soldier and a statesman.
President Tinubu hailed his predecessor as the champion of discipline in public service, who confronted corruption head-on and placed the country above personal interest at every turn.
Extolling his service to Nigeria first as a military leader, President Tinubu said Buhari served Nigeria with unwavering dedication from January 1984 to August 1985 and later as a democratically elected president from 2015 to 2023.
The Nigerian leader extended his deepest condolences to the beloved wife of the deceased ex-president, Aisha, “with whom I have been in constant touch, his children, the entire Buhari family, and all who knew and loved him.
He also extended his condolences to the government and people of Katsina State, most especially the people and traditional leaders of Daura Emirate.
STATEHOUSE PRESS RELEASE
STATEMENT BY PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU ON THE PASSING OF FORMER PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI, GCFR
It is with profound sorrow and a heavy heart that I received the news of the passing of His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari (Rtd), GCFR, my… pic.twitter.com/oClsHnhBZI
— Bayo Onanuga (@aonanuga1956) July 13, 2025
Read President Tinubu’s Statement Below:
It is with profound sorrow and a heavy heart that I received the news of the passing of His Excellency, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (Rtd), GCFR, my predecessor, who departed this life today, Sunday, July 13, 2025, at a hospital in the United Kingdom.
President Buhari was, to the very core, a patriot, a soldier, a statesman. His legacy of service and sacrifice endures. He served Nigeria with unwavering dedication, first as a military leader from January 1984 to August 1985 and later as a democratically elected President from 2015 to 2023. Duty, honour, and a deep commitment to the unity and progress of our nation defined his life.
He stood firm through the most turbulent times, leading with quiet strength, profound integrity, and an unshakable belief in Nigeria’s potential.
He championed discipline in public service, confronted corruption head-on, and placed the country above personal interest at every turn.
In this moment of national mourning, I extend my deepest condolences to his beloved wife, Aisha, with whom I have been in constant touch, his children, the entire Buhari family, and all who knew and loved him.
I also extend my condolences to the government and people of Katsina State, most especially the people and traditional leaders of Daura Emirate.
We honour his service. We reflect on his legacy. And we pray for the peaceful repose of his soul.
As a mark of respect to our former leader, I have directed that all national flags fly at half-staff across the country for seven days from today.
I have also summoned an emergency Federal Executive Council session on Tuesday, dedicated to his honour.
The Federal Government will accord President Buhari full state honours befitting his towering contributions to our country.
May Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him Al-Jannah Firdaus.
And may his life continue to inspire generations of Nigerians to serve with courage, conviction, and selflessness.