🇳🇬 Former Nigerian Leader Muhammadu Buhari Dies at 82

Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria’s former military ruler and two-term president (2015–2023), died at age 82 on Sunday in a London clinic, his spokesperson Garba Shehu confirmed.

From Soldier to Statesman

Buhari first seized power in a 1983 military coup and led until 1985. He returned to the spotlight as a “converted democrat,” winning the 2015 election as the first opposition candidate to unseat a sitting president.

His presidency promised anti-corruption and security reforms. He confronted Boko Haram and carried a symbolic broom onto the campaign trail. However, his tenure was marred by:

• Continued violence in the Northeast
• A struggling economy and high unemployment
• Criticism over selective anti-corruption efforts and human rights cracks.

🇳🇬 Mourning & State Honors

President Bola Tinubu ordered flags at half-staff and dispatched the Vice‑President to London to accompany Buhari’s body home. A national period of mourning has been declared across Nigeria.

Nigeria will witness a state funeral and national mourning, capped by a legacy debate: Buhari is credited with breaking political traditions, yet his administration’s challenges continue to shape the country’s future.

Buhari’s death marks the end of a complex political journey—from military ruler to democratically elected president. His legacy remains deeply contested: a symbol of progress to some, and unmet promises to others.