July 13, 2025
Soldier. Statesman. Servant of the Nation.
Today, the green-white-green flag flies at half-mast across the length and breadth of Nigeria, mourning the loss of a man whose life was deeply intertwined with the nation's post-independence history — General Muhammadu Buhari, former Head of State, two-term elected President, and one of Nigeria’s most polarizing yet undeniably impactful leaders.
With his passing, Nigeria marks the end of an era. An era defined by military discipline, austere personal values, fierce anti-corruption convictions, and a lifelong belief in the indivisibility of the Nigerian state.
Early Life and Rise in the Military
Muhammadu Buhari was born on December 17, 1941, in Daura, Katsina State, in Northern Nigeria. From humble beginnings, he rose through the ranks of the Nigerian Army, joining at the age of 19 in 1961. He trained at military institutions both within Nigeria and abroad, including the Mons Officer Cadet School in the United Kingdom, and rose steadily through the ranks with a reputation for order, duty, and discipline.
During the years following the civil war, Buhari served in various key roles. He was appointed as the Military Governor of the North-Eastern State (1975), and following the creation of new states, he became the first Military Governor of Borno State. He later served as Federal Commissioner (Minister) of Petroleum and Natural Resources under General Olusegun Obasanjo’s military regime in 1976, where he was instrumental in establishing the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
At every step, Buhari earned a reputation as a firm and incorruptible officer. His early experiences governing volatile and diverse regions would shape his later belief in the primacy of national unity and the importance of public order.
Head of State: A Regime of Discipline (1983–1985)
In December 1983, Nigeria was in the throes of economic collapse, widespread corruption, and social unrest. Against this backdrop, the military intervened, and Major General Muhammadu Buhari was installed as Head of State after a coup that ended the civilian administration of President Shehu Shagari.
Buhari’s regime, though short-lived, is remembered for its emphasis on discipline, accountability, and anti-corruption. His signature campaign, the “War Against Indiscipline (WAI)”, sought to reform societal behaviors, promote punctuality, hygiene, and ethical conduct. Corrupt politicians and officials were arrested and tried. Smugglers and hoarders faced harsh penalties. The importation of luxury goods was curbed, and national austerity became the order of the day.
However, the regime was also criticized for its authoritarian measures, including press restrictions, detention without trial, and decrees that overrode civil liberties. The government’s rigidity and failure to accommodate economic innovation led to increasing unrest and eventually, in August 1985, Buhari was ousted in another coup.
Though removed from power, his personal integrity and incorruptible image survived. For years, he remained a symbol of what a government could be if driven by principle.
Return to Democracy: The Reluctant Politician Turned President
After years in political obscurity, Muhammadu Buhari returned to the national stage—this time as a civilian democrat. His foray into party politics was initially met with skepticism. He contested and lost presidential elections in 2003, 2007, and 2011, but his determination never waned.
In 2015, riding on a wave of public frustration with corruption, insecurity, and economic mismanagement, and backed by a powerful coalition—the All Progressives Congress (APC)—Buhari made history. He became the first opposition candidate to defeat an incumbent president in Nigeria’s democratic history.
His re-election in 2019 confirmed the public’s continued faith in his integrity, even as the country grappled with persistent challenges.
Leadership and the Nigerian Experience (2015–2023)
Buhari’s presidency came with immense expectations. Nigerians, especially the poor and working class, looked to him as a redeemer—a no-nonsense leader who would curb corruption, bring security, and restore economic stability.
But the realities of governance in a complex, diverse, and often fractious nation proved daunting.
Security and Insecurity
One of Buhari’s foremost campaign promises was to end the Boko Haram insurgency. While initial military gains were made, insecurity evolved and expanded. By the end of his tenure, Nigeria faced banditry in the Northwest, kidnappings in the North Central and South, farmer-herder clashes, secessionist agitations in the Southeast, and rising cultism in the South-South.
Despite large defense budgets, critics argued that security agencies remained under-equipped, intelligence-sharing was poor, and trust between citizens and law enforcement deteriorated. Buhari, a former military general, often appeared detached in the face of tragic killings and abductions, which drew sharp public criticism.
Economy and Socioeconomic Hardship
Economically, Buhari inherited a country overly dependent on oil revenues. When global oil prices crashed in 2016, Nigeria slipped into recession, the first in 25 years. Though the government implemented economic recovery plans and promoted agriculture and local production, the road to recovery was slow.
Inflation soared, the naira lost significant value, and unemployment reached record highs, especially among the youth. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 dealt another blow, pushing millions into multidimensional poverty. For many Nigerians, daily life became a struggle — from skyrocketing food prices to epileptic power supply, fuel scarcity, and a crumbling healthcare system.
The removal of fuel subsidies, though economically justifiable, deepened the burden on ordinary citizens. While social intervention programs like N-Power and TraderMoni provided some relief, they were insufficient for the scale of suffering experienced.
Many citizens, particularly the younger generation, felt a growing disconnect between the government and the people. The 2020 #EndSARS protests, which began as a movement against police brutality, became a broader cry for justice, accountability, and leadership that listens.
Anti-Corruption and Infrastructure
Despite the hardships, Buhari’s presidency made notable strides. His fight against corruption, though selective in the eyes of some critics, led to high-profile convictions and the recovery of billions in stolen assets. He signed several transparency-focused legislations and empowered agencies like the EFCC and ICPC.
His administration invested heavily in infrastructure:
The Lagos-Ibadan railway was completed.
The Second Niger Bridge, long overdue, finally came to fruition.
Road construction, airport upgrades, and housing projects were rolled out across the nation.
Digitization efforts in government, such as the Treasury Single Account (TSA) and BVN system, improved fiscal management.
Legacy: A Mixed Record, A Lasting Symbol
General Muhammadu Buhari’s legacy is as complex as Nigeria itself. For some, he was a symbol of moral uprightness, a man who lived simply, without ostentation, and served with patriotic intention. For others, he was a leader whose detachment and rigidity in the face of human suffering missed a vital opportunity to transform Nigeria during one of its most critical periods.
But what cannot be denied is this: Buhari shaped Nigeria’s political history like few others have.
He lived as a soldier and died as a statesman. He was part of Nigeria’s early military foundation, helped create vital institutions, returned to serve under a democratic constitution, and peacefully handed over power at the end of his second term in 2023.
Even in criticism, he inspired a generation to question leadership, demand more, and expect better. His presence, his quiet demeanor, and his signature phrase—"I belong to everybody, and I belong to nobody"—became part of Nigeria’s political language.
In Death, As in Life — A National Figure
On this day, as we lay to rest General Muhammadu Buhari, we honor not only his long journey of service but also the countless Nigerians who believed in his vision. We remember the hopes and dreams invested in him, the trials of leadership, the accomplishments achieved, and the lessons learned.
His life is a reminder that leadership is not about perfection, but about purpose. He may not have delivered all that he promised, but he gave of himself fully — as a soldier, a ruler, and a servant of Nigeria.
Conclusion: The Final Salute
The Daura-born general has now returned to the soil of his ancestors. Nigeria bows her head in solemn respect. His watch has ended, but his name is etched into the annals of history.
"The true measure of a man is not in how he begins, but in what he leaves behind."
General Muhammadu Buhari leaves behind a complex but indelible legacy — one of discipline, patriotism, resilience, and above all, commitment to the Nigerian project.
Rest in peace, Baba Buhari. Your mission is complete.
May your soul find eternal rest.
Nigeria remembers. Nigeria thanks you.
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