Date: July 16, 2025
By: Jonathan
Nigeria stood still on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, as the nation laid to rest one of its most prominent leaders, former President Muhammadu Buhari, in a solemn and dignified state funeral held in Daura, Katsina State.
The 82-year-old ex-leader, who passed away in London on Sunday, July 13, 2025, was honored with full military and Islamic rites as thousands of mourners, local dignitaries, and world leaders gathered to pay their final respects.
From London to Daura: A Nation in Mourning
Buhari’s remains were flown in from London and received with full honors at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport in Katsina. A 21-gun salute, ceremonial military parade, and national anthem reverberated through the air, symbolizing the nation’s gratitude for his years of service.
Accompanied by Vice President Kashim Shettima, the Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, and other top officials, Buhari’s coffin—draped in the national green-white-green flag—was transported to his hometown, Daura, for final interment.
Islamic Burial in Hometown
The Salatul Janazah (Islamic funeral prayer) was held around 4:50 PM at the Daura Helipad Ground. Led by the Chief Imam of Daura, the prayer drew a massive crowd that included current and former presidents, governors, traditional rulers, and foreign dignitaries.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the First Lady Remi Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and representatives from Niger, Guinea-Bissau, and other neighboring countries were in attendance.
At exactly 5:50 PM, Buhari was laid to rest in the backyard of his private residence in Daura—a modest and quiet grave in line with Islamic traditions and the former president’s famously austere lifestyle.
Final Honors and Tributes
The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, read Buhari’s citation, praising his discipline, anti-corruption efforts, and contributions to national security.
Despite his controversial legacy, many Nigerians lined the roads, chanting “Sai Baba” as a final show of love and loyalty. Some climbed trees just to catch a glimpse of the hearse. Women were seen weeping, and men prayed silently, a testament to the emotional weight of the moment.
National Broadcast & Mourning
Major TV stations across Nigeria and Africa aired the funeral live. President Tinubu declared seven days of national mourning, with flags flying at half-mast and a public holiday observed on the day of the burial.
In his tribute, Tinubu described Buhari as “a true patriot, a fearless leader, and a man of profound integrity who gave his all for Nigeria.”
A Legacy Etched in History
Born in 1942, Muhammadu Buhari first ruled Nigeria as a military Head of State from 1983 to 1985 and later returned as a democratically elected President in 2015, serving until 2023. His time in office was marked by anti-corruption campaigns, a strong push for national security, and economic reforms that continue to shape the country.
While critics point to shortcomings in governance and human rights, supporters remember him as a symbol of simplicity, discipline, and patriotism.
Rest in Peace, Baba Buhari
As the sun set on Daura that evening, so too did an era in Nigeria’s political journey. Muhammadu Buhari’s name will be remembered in the annals of history—admired by many, critiqued by others, but never forgotten.
May his soul rest in perfect peace.
