President Bola Tinubu has announced the passing of former president, Muhammadu Buhari.
Buhari died on Sunday in London at about 4.30 pm, following a prolonged illness.
In a statement on Sunday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the president described his predecessor as a "patriot, a soldier, a statesman."
It read: "It is with profound sorrow and a heavy heart that I received the news of the passing of His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari (Rtd), GCFR, my predecessor, who departed this life today, Sunday, July 13, 2025, at a hospital in the United Kingdom.
"President Buhari was to the very core, a patriot, a soldier, a statesman. His legacy of service and sacrifice endures. He served Nigeria with unwavering dedication, first as a military leader from January 1984 to August 1985, and later as a democratically elected President from 2015 to 2023. Duty, honour, and a deep commitment to the unity and progress of our nation defined his life."
The president who only returned to the country on Saturday following visits to Brazil and St Lucia, also announced that he has reached out to the family to extend his condolences.
“President Tinubu has spoken with Mrs Aishat Buhari, the former President’s widow, and offered his deep condolences”, the statement added.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has further directed vice-president Kashim Shettima to "proceed to the United Kingdom to accompany President Muhammadu Buhari’s body back to Nigeria.”
He has also ordered that all national flags across the country fly at half-staff for seven days as a mark of respect for the late president.
Former president Muhammadu Buhari was elected president of Nigeria twice in 2015 and 2019, and also served as military head of state between January 1984 and August 1985.
He has died at the age of 82.
