Nigeria’s former President Muhammadu Buhari has died at age 82 after battling leukemia, a type of blood cancer, for several years. The two-time leader of Africa’s most populous nation passed away Sunday afternoon at about 4:30 pm in a London hospital where he had been receiving treatment for months.
Buhari served Nigeria both as a military ruler in the 1980s and later as a democratically elected president from 2015 to 2023. His death marks the end of an era for Nigerian politics, coming just two years after he left office. Current President Bola Tinubu immediately ordered all flags to be flown at half-mast across Nigeria and sent Vice President Kashim Shettima to London to bring Buhari’s body home for burial.
The former president had been in poor health for much of his later years, frequently traveling to the UK for medical care – a practice that drew criticism since he had promised as a candidate to improve Nigeria’s hospitals. His family and doctors kept details of his condition private, but sources confirm the leukemia had worsened in recent weeks before his passing.
Key Details
✔ Cause of Death: Leukemia (blood/bone marrow cancer)
✔ Location: London hospital where he’d received treatment for months
✔ Timeline:
- Hospitalized intermittently since May 2023
- Condition deteriorated in recent weeks
- Passed at approximately 4:30pm (WAT) Sunday
✔ Government Response: - President Tinubu orders national flags at half-mast
- VP Shettima en route to London to repatriate remains
- Condolences extended to Buhari’s widow Aisha
Buhari’s Medical History
• 230+ days spent on foreign medical trips as president
• 15+ UK treatments between 2016-2023 for undisclosed conditions
• Controversy: Faced criticism for overseas care despite vowing to improve Nigeria’s health system
Political Legacy
🔹 First Term (2015-2019): Came to power on anti-corruption platform
🔹 Second Term (2019-2023): Grappled with economic recession, insecurity
🔹 Post-Presidency: Maintained low profile amid health challenges
Expected Funeral Arrangements:
Islamic rites to be observed in Daura, Katsina State
Likely state burial with full military honors
Regional leaders, diplomats expected to attend
