Nigeria is mourning the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari, who died today, Sunday, July 13, 2025, at the age of 82, in a clinic in London, United Kingdom, following a prolonged illness. His death was officially confirmed by his family and close aides.

Garba Shehu, who served as Buhari’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity during his presidency, issued a statement on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, announcing the demise. “The family of the former president has announced the passing on of the former president, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, this afternoon in a clinic in London. May Allah accept him in Aljannatul Firdaus, Amin,” Shehu’s statement read.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu also confirmed the news on Sunday evening, extending his deep condolences to the former First Lady, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, and the entire family. As a mark of respect for the departed leader, President Tinubu has ordered that all national flags be flown at half-mast and has dispatched Vice President Kashim Shettima to the United Kingdom to accompany the former president’s body back to Nigeria.

Buhari had been in London for several weeks, receiving medical care for an undisclosed ailment, which some reports, including from Sahara Reporters, indicate was leukaemia. His health had been a subject of public scrutiny throughout his two terms as democratically elected president, during which he undertook numerous medical trips abroad.

Born on December 17, 1942, in Daura, Katsina State, Muhammadu Buhari had a long and impactful career in Nigeria’s public service. A retired Major General in the Nigerian Army, he first ruled the nation as a military Head of State from December 1983 to August 1985, following a coup d’état. After transitioning to democratic politics, he contested the presidency multiple times before securing victory in 2015 under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), becoming the first opposition candidate to defeat an incumbent president in Nigeria’s history. He was re-elected in 2019, serving two full terms until May 2023.

His civilian presidency (2015-2023) was largely defined by a strong focus on anti-corruption, efforts to combat pervasive insecurity, particularly the Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East, and economic reforms. While his tenure saw some notable achievements, it also faced significant public debate and criticism over various national challenges, including economic recessions and persistent insecurity.

Tributes have begun pouring in from across Nigeria and beyond, remembering a leader who uniquely straddled both military and democratic leadership roles in Africa’s most populous nation. Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced by the family and the federal government in the coming hours.