Nigeria has been thrown into deep mourning following the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari, whose passing was confirmed on Sunday, July 13, 2025, by his longtime aides Garba Shehu and Bashir Ahmad in separate statements on X. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a seven-day period of national mourning, directing that all national flags be flown at half-mast across the country from Sunday through Saturday, July 19.
According to Tinubu’s official statement released by the Presidency, the late President will be accorded full state honours for his “towering contributions” to Nigeria. A special emergency Federal Executive Council (FEC) session has been scheduled for Tuesday, July 15, to reflect on Buhari’s legacy and service to the nation during his two-term presidency from 2015 to 2023.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has been dispatched to London to oversee the formalities and coordinate the repatriation of Buhari’s remains. According to protocol, the late President will be laid to rest in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State, on Monday, July 14, in accordance with Islamic rites.
The late Buhari, who turned 82 in December 2024, had been undergoing medical observation in London. His passing, while not unexpected due to long-standing health challenges, has nonetheless sent shockwaves across the nation and sparked emotional reactions on social media, where #RIPBuhari and #BuhariLegacy began trending minutes after the announcement.
Tinubu described his predecessor as “a patriot who dedicated his entire life to the service of Nigeria — first as a military leader and then as a democratically elected president.” He added, “Our nation mourns a giant whose footprints will forever remain etched in our democratic journey.”
Tributes have begun pouring in from across the political spectrum, with former presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Olusegun Obasanjo among the first to send condolences. Several foreign missions including the U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the British High Commission have also acknowledged Buhari’s passing, describing him as a “respected statesman in regional and continental affairs.”
As the country begins its official mourning period, preparations for Buhari’s state funeral are underway, with security tightened in Katsina and Abuja. Government offices are expected to adjust their operations in accordance with the mourning directive, while religious institutions have been asked to hold prayers in memory of the late leader.
