Nigeria Bids Final Farewell to Former President Muhammadu Buhari

DAURA, Nigeria, July 16— Thousands of mourners gathered in the northern town of Daura on Tuesday as Nigeria laid to rest one of its most consequential and controversial leaders, former President Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away at the age of 82 on Sunday in London after a prolonged illness.

The late statesman was buried at his private residence in his hometown in Katsina State, where supporters, traditional leaders, and dignitaries flooded the streets to pay their final respects. A somber military procession and state honors marked the farewell, reflecting the significance of his role in Nigeria’s modern political history.

President Bola Tinubu, along with a host of African dignitaries, including Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, attended the ceremony. President Faye hailed Buhari as “a leading figure in Nigerian and African political life,” acknowledging his influence on continental politics.

Buhari’s death marks the end of an era for Nigeria. His leadership spanned two dramatically different phases of the country’s development—first as a military ruler from 1983 to 1985 following a coup, and later as a democratically elected president from 2015 to 2023.

Despite his popularity, especially in northern Nigeria, Buhari’s legacy remains mixed. His administration was marred by a prolonged health crisis that kept him abroad for months at a time, prompting national concern and criticism over transparency. While he gained support for his strong anti-corruption rhetoric, critics pointed to harsh crackdowns on dissent, shrinking civic space, and worsening insecurity across the country.

Economically, Buhari championed protectionist and inward-looking policies in an effort to promote self-sufficiency. However, many of these measures coincided with rising inflation, foreign investment decline, and sluggish growth in key sectors.

Known for his austere lifestyle and rigid discipline, Buhari was both revered and criticized. To some, he symbolized integrity and leadership; to others, he represented a period of shrinking freedoms and unfulfilled promises.

As Nigeria reflects on the life and legacy of its former leader, his burial draws to a close a significant chapter in the country’s history. A national mourning period has been declared, with flags flown at half-mast and tributes pouring in from across the world.

Buhari is survived by his wife Aisha Buhari, several children, and a political legacy that will continue to shape Nigeria’s future discourse for years to come.