The Alumni Association of the National Institute (AANI), a Nigerian policy and leadership think-tank, has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of the former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, hailing him as an embodiment of integrity, accountability and selfless leadership.
AANI President Ambassador Emmanuel Obi Okafor extended heartfelt condolences to Buhari’s family, the government and people of Katsina State, Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the wider Nigerian public.
“His contributions to nation-building and governance are immeasurable,” he said.
Former President Buhari’s life reflected a unique political trajectory: a former military ruler (1984–1985) who returned three decades later to serve two terms as a democratically elected president (2015–2023).
Admiration and criticism
During both eras of his leadership, he was widely known for his uncompromising stance against corruption, a trait that earned him both admiration and criticism at home and abroad.
Joining the Nigerian Army in 1962, Buhari held numerous senior command positions, rising to national prominence in the 1980s. His military regime was marked by stringent anti-graft campaigns and attempts to restore discipline in public life.
“We honour a man whose disciplined and focused leadership left a lasting imprint on Nigeria’s democratic evolution, ” he stated.
As a civilian president, he focused on security, economic reform, and anti-corruption measures, maintaining Nigeria’s role as a regional powerbroker in West Africa.
The Association called on Nigerians to reflect on his legacy and unite in prayer for peace and prosperity during this moment of grief.
The group also commended President Tinubu and the federal government for their “dignified handling of this national tragedy.”
President Buhari’s passing marks the end of an era for one of Africa’s most influential post-colonial leaders — a man whose complex legacy continues to shape political discourse across the continent.
Lateefah Ibrahim