Dignitaries and Nation Bid Farewell to Former President Buhari at Daura Burial

On Tuesday, July 15, 2025, President Bola Tinubu, President Umaru Sissoco Embaló of Guinea-Bissau, Prime Minister Ali Lamine Zeine of Niger, and former Niger President Issoufou Mahamadou joined Vice President Kashim Shettima, former Vice Presidents Atiku Abubakar and Yemi Osinbajo, governors, former governors, ministers, and industrialist Alhaji Aliko Dangote in Daura, Katsina State, for the burial of former President Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away at 82 in a London clinic on July 13. The solemn event, marked by a 21-gun salute and Islamic rites, saw Buhari’s remains, draped in the Nigerian flag, arrive at Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport at 1:51 p.m., received by President Tinubu, before a military hearse transported the casket to Daura. At 5:50 p.m., following funeral prayers led by Chief Imam Sheikh Salisu Rabiu at Daura Central Mosque, Buhari was laid to rest in a garden at his private residence, attended by thousands of mourners despite tight security. The Federal Government declared a public holiday, with national flags at half-mast for seven days, reflecting Buhari’s legacy as a military ruler (1983–1985) and civilian president (2015–2023).

Tributes poured in, with Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of Sokoto Diocese emphasizing Buhari’s broader contributions beyond his presidency, urging remembrance of him as a “good man” who served Nigeria in multiple capacities. The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Mohammed Sa’ad Abubakar III, hailed Buhari as a leader who “came, saw, and conquered,” citing his War Against Indiscipline and role in establishing oil refineries. Mr. Buba Galadima, a New Nigeria Peoples Party chieftain and longtime associate, praised Buhari’s humility and love for the poor but noted his excessive trust as a weakness. Ms. Noor Buhari, his daughter, shared an emotional Instagram tribute, vowing to carry her father’s memory. Former Minister Ali Isa Pantami and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Mr. Boss Mustapha lauded Buhari’s integrity and patriotism, while Aare Afe Babalola, founder of Afe Babalola University, described him as a soldier of “spartan discipline.” Chief Ayiri Emami, an APC chieftain, highlighted Buhari’s infrastructure achievements, like the Warri-Itakpe Rail Line. Former spokesperson Mr. Femi Adesina defended Buhari’s medical trips to London, noting his reliance on friends like Alhaji Aliko Dangote for expenses, as Nigeria lacked the expertise to treat his undisclosed illness.