In Loving Memory

Indeed, from God we come, and to Him we shall all return. The passing of President Muhammadu Buhari closes a long and defining chapter in Nigeria’s journey.

He was, above all else, a patriot. A man who believed, without wavering, in the idea of Nigeria. Through decades of uncertainty, transition, and transformation, he remained committed to the principle that this country, despite its imperfections, is worth believing in, worth defending, and worth holding together.

His life was shaped by restraint, by purpose, and by a rare discipline of character. He did not seek noise. He did not chase favour. He believed that a nation's greatness must be anchored on values, honour, responsibility, and service to a cause greater than self.

He stood firm when it was easier to bend. He held back when it was tempting to indulge. And in his own quiet way, he reminded a generation that leadership can still mean fidelity to principle, not performance.

Now, he returns to his Maker. And we, as a nation, are left with the sobering task of drawing meaning from his life, not by romanticising it but by reflecting on what it stood for: that to love Nigeria is not a slogan. It is a lifelong commitment, one that demands integrity, sacrifice, and an abiding belief in our collective future.

May God Almighty forgive his shortcomings, reward his devotion, and grant him eternal rest.

Boss Mustapha, CFR

Secretary to the Government of the Federation
2017 - 2023

Muhammadu Buhari was the rarest of individuals to grace political life anywhere in the world: an incorruptible servant of the people. He was not motivated by pride, or by riches - the accumulation of which repelled him. He was drawn to public service, discipline, and patriotism, and the unity of Nigeria as a one nation and one idea.
In his long service, first in the military he campaigned to keep Nigeria as a single country, and later briefly holding the position of head of state, he fought to tackle rampant corruption.

Later, as a converted democrat after the return of elections in 1999 he campaigned relentlessly to liberate Nigeria from becoming what he feared would be an elected, but corrupted, one-party state. Without Buhari’s refusal to back down, the disparate democratic opposition may never have united, and there would be no true multi-party system in Nigeria today.

Once that unity was achieved, Buhari – who else? – was chosen as the opposition’s flagbearer. In 2015 he became the first candidate to win election over an incumbent, for Nigeria the first-time power changed hands peacefully between the victor and vanquished.

His two terms in elected office coincided with worldwide economic challenges, and the threat from terrorism in the Sahel. He tackled both, creating new and welcome welfare programmes, and decisively breaking the power of Boko Haram.

Facing down accusations of favouring the north, he created ranches for northern herders to protect the livelihoods of southern farmers, saving lives and fostering better relations.
A deeply religious man, he was the opposite of partisan – enlisting a southern pastor as his two-time running-mate and regularly writing about Christianity and its relations with his own Muslim faith.

After assuming office, he struck up a lasting friendship with the Archbishop of Canterbury, with tolerance and modesty as well as religious fervor being attributes they shared.

After retiring from office, he returned to his farm and tended to his cattle, staying scrupulously out of the public eye and away from politics – always and intentionally refusing to comment. It was more important for this modest man to give a wide berth to his successor than to express any opinion, believing intervention in political affairs by ex-leaders was rarely merited, and more often a sign of a vanity he would never personally countenance.

Muhammadu Buhari led a life full enough for many men. He will be remembered best by his own words: “I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody”. He was the best of Nigeria, and we are all less without him.

Mallam Garba Shehu, OON
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity
2015 - 2023

Inna lillahi wa inna ilahi raji’un.
The death of President Muhammadu Buhari is deeply personal to me. He was a father and political mentor who taught us that the essence of public service is serving others.

I was privileged to serve under him in different capacities over the last 11 years. In all these, I have nothing but gratitude to him for believing in me to serve in such exalted roles, and more so for his fatherly counsel, support, and patriotic stand on national issues. It was truly an honor to be part of the journey of this noble gentleman in his labour of love for the country he dearly loved — Nigeria.

Nigeria has truly lost a true gem, a patriot, a statesman, and a paragon of integrity. I join millions of Nigerians to commiserate with his dear widow, Hajiya Aisha Buhari, his children, all his grieving family members, and the government and people of Katsina State over this irreparable loss.

May Allah (SWT) in His infinite mercy forgive his shortcomings and grant him the highest rank in Al-Jannah Firdaus.

Hadiza Bala Usman,
14th July, 2025.

It is with heavy heart and immense gratitude that I write this tribute to Late President Muhammadu Buhari, a man whose presence in my life transcended political structure or national leadership. To me he was more than a President, he was a father figure, a mentor and the guiding light who shaped my character for over thirty years.

Growing up under his tutelage was both a privilege and and a responsibility from my earliest interactions with him. I was struck by his calm, strength, his unwavering principles and the quiet but profound way he led by example. He didn't need to raise his voice to command respect his integrity did that for him.

For three decades, late President Buhari instilled in me the core values that define leadership. He taught me discipline, the importance of consistency of doing the right thing even when it is not convenient. He taught me trustworthiness that one's word must always be ones bond and that loyalty to truth is non negotiable. He taught me humility to Carry success with grace and to lead without arrogance no matter how high one rises. And most of all he taught me selflessness, that service to others especially to ones country is a highest calling a person can accept.

These were not just lessons he impacted, there were virtures he lived witnessed them day after day, year after year not in grand gestures but in consistency of a man who gave everything for the good of Nigeria.

For me, it was a thrilling experience to be part of his political journey that gave birth to his presidency which I was futunate to be part of it. He was indeed an embodiment of Democratic values, courage and conviction.

For the world, he was a Head of State and later a democratically elected President. But to me he was BABA , a constant source of wisdom, correction, encouragement and strength. He corrected me when I strayed, guided me when I was unsure and inspired me to reach for more not for myself but for the good of others.

His legacy will be studied in history books, debated in policy circles and remembered by a great full nation. But for me, his legacy is deeply personal.

As we mourn his demise, we also celebrate a life well lived, a life of courage, conviction and complete devotion to Nigeria and to the values that hold the nation together.

Nagode Malam Musa, a sauka Lafiya. This were his last words to me on his hospital bed in London when i went to bid him farewell on the 6th of July 2025.

Rest in peace President Muhammadu Buhari. GCFR

Allah hokke Aljannah Firdaus.

Your leadership inspired a Nation.

Your mentorship shaped a life.

Your memory will live on those who were blessed and opputune to know you.

Your Legacy leaves on.

By Alhaji Musa Halilu OFR (DUJIMA ADAMAWA). Chairman Tilt Group of companies Ltd.