Nigeria came to a standstill on Tuesday July 15, 2025 as former President Muhammadu Buhari was laid to rest in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State, in a solemn ceremony marked by state honors, heartfelt tributes, and a show of national unity.
The 82-year-old former leader died on Sunday in a London clinic after a prolonged illness that had kept him away from public life since his handover of power in 2023.
Buhari’s body, draped in the green-white-green Nigerian flag, was flown from London to Katsina and received by high-ranking government officials, military leaders, and family members.
By 5:50 p.m. local time, his remains were interred in his private residence following Islamic burial rites, preceded by a military parade and a symbolic 21-gun salute. The atmosphere was thick with emotion as soldiers stood in silent honor and the sound of gunfire echoed through Daura.
A sea of mourners, including regional heads of state, senior Nigerian officials, and everyday citizens, lined the streets to pay their last respects.
Among them was Nigeria’s current president, Bola Tinubu, who declared a seven-day national mourning period with flags flown at half-mast across the country.
“He served our nation with dedication and an unyielding spirit,” Tinubu said in his eulogy, remembering Buhari as “a patriotic statesman” whose legacy would live on in the country’s history.
Senegalese President Bassirou Faye, who also attended the funeral, described Buhari as “a leading figure in Nigerian and African political life,” highlighting his regional influence.
Despite differences during their political careers, opposition leaders such as Atiku Abubakar and former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai were present, acknowledging the weight of Buhari’s legacy.
Tears flowed openly during the funeral, with scenes of visible grief capturing the emotional weight of the day. Buhari’s daughter, Fatima, was spotted in tears as she arrived at her late father’s residence.
Katsina Governor Dikko Radda broke down while addressing mourners, calling Buhari “an embodiment of the common man’s aspirations” and a father figure whose path he aspired to follow.
Tributes poured in from across the country and beyond. The Federal Government declared Tuesday a public holiday to honor the fallen president, following a similar announcement by the Katsina State Government, which had already designated Monday as a day of mourning.
Buhari’s political journey spanned over four decades, beginning with a military coup that brought him to power in 1983. He ruled briefly as a military head of state before being ousted in 1985.
Decades later, he returned to the political arena, making history in 2015 by becoming the first opposition candidate to defeat a sitting president in Nigeria. He was re-elected in 2019 and handed over power to Tinubu in May 2023.
During his time in office, Buhari prioritized security, anti-corruption, and economic reform. He took a firm stance against Boko Haram insurgents, pushed for recovery of stolen public funds, and initiated programs aimed at diversifying Nigeria’s economy.
However, his administration was not without criticism. A prolonged health crisis that led to repeated medical trips abroad sparked national concern, while others accused his government of clamping down on civil liberties and implementing isolationist policies.
Public reactions to his death have been mixed. Some Nigerians turned to social media, creating memes and reflecting on his time in office with sarcasm or skepticism.
Yet others mourned deeply, their sorrow visible in the faces of those at his burial. One man, caught on camera struggling to hold back tears, captured the emotional divide, a symbol of a leader both revered and reviled.
Though his presidency remains controversial in parts, Buhari’s impact on Nigeria’s political landscape is undeniable.
As the nation lowers its flags in his honor, one thing is clear: Muhammadu Buhari left an indelible mark on Nigeria, one that will be debated, remembered, and studied for generations to come.
