President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has summoned an emergency session of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) following the passing of his predecessor, former President Muhammadu Buhari, who died on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at a clinic in London after a period of illness.
The announcement was made in a personal statement signed by President Tinubu on Sunday evening. According to the President, the emergency FEC meeting is scheduled for Tuesday and will be entirely dedicated to honouring the life, service, and contributions of the late Nigerian leader. The session will also mark the beginning of a series of official tributes planned by the federal government.
“I have also summoned an emergency Federal Executive Council session on Tuesday, dedicated to his honour,” Tinubu stated. “The Federal Government will accord President Buhari full state honours befitting his towering contributions to our country.”
The death of President Buhari, who served as Nigeria’s Head of State both as a military leader from 1983 to 1985 and as a democratically elected President from 2015 to 2023, has plunged the nation into mourning. The former leader passed away at around 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, with sources indicating he had been undergoing treatment for a prolonged illness widely speculated to be blood cancer.
President Tinubu, who took over the mantle of leadership from Buhari in May 2023, expressed profound sorrow over the loss, noting that the late president’s legacy would continue to shape Nigeria’s history for generations. He also offered prayers for the repose of Buhari’s soul.
“May the Almighty forgive his shortcomings and grant him Aljanah Firdaus,” Tinubu prayed.
Since the news of his death broke, condolences have been pouring in from around the world. Eminent Nigerians — including former presidents, governors, religious leaders, traditional rulers, and political allies — have extended sympathies to the Buhari family and the federal government.
The emergency FEC meeting is expected to bring together members of the cabinet and top government officials to reflect on Buhari’s decades of public service and national leadership. According to senior presidency sources, the session will begin with a moment of silence, followed by tributes from ministers who served under Buhari and those who worked closely with him during his time in office.
Buhari, known for his austere lifestyle and deep commitment to public discipline, first came to power as a military ruler following the overthrow of President Shehu Shagari in 1983. His government was lauded for its anti-corruption drive but also criticized for harsh policies, suppression of press freedoms, and a lack of respect for civil rights.
He was later ousted in 1985 by General Ibrahim Babangida. After years in political obscurity, Buhari returned to contest for Nigeria’s presidency, enduring three failed elections before his historic victory in 2015 under the All Progressives Congress (APC), defeating then-incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan.
His presidency, spanning two terms until 2023, was marked by significant national challenges — including insecurity, economic downturns, separatist agitations, and youth-led protests. Still, his supporters hail his achievements in infrastructure development, anti-corruption efforts, and agricultural reforms. His detractors, however, often pointed to worsening insecurity and economic hardship under his watch.
Upon completing his second term in May 2023, Buhari retired to his hometown of Daura in Katsina State before later relocating to Kaduna in early 2025. He remained largely out of the public eye until his final hospitalization in London. His death has now triggered nationwide mourning and a reevaluation of his complex and controversial legacy.
In the wake of the announcement, hundreds of mourners gathered outside Buhari’s residence in Kaduna to pay their respects. Dignitaries including former ministers, northern traditional leaders, and high-ranking military officials visited the residence on Sunday evening, while security was visibly tightened around the area. Two military gun trucks and heavily armed personnel were deployed to manage crowds and ensure order.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, along with several top government officials, is accompanying the late President’s body back to Nigeria. Buhari is scheduled to be buried today, Monday, July 14, in his hometown of Daura, in accordance with Islamic rites. Final burial arrangements are being coordinated with the involvement of the Nigerian Armed Forces and security services to ensure a smooth and dignified ceremony.
Meanwhile, state governments and foreign embassies are expected to open condolence registers in honour of the late statesman. Public buildings are likely to fly flags at half-mast, and a national day of mourning is being considered.
In addition to the FEC session, a national tribute ceremony is expected to be organized in Abuja in the coming days. Discussions are already underway about renaming a key national monument or institution in Buhari’s memory.
As Nigeria reflects on the life and times of Muhammadu Buhari, President Tinubu’s decision to hold a dedicated FEC session signals the importance of preserving historical memory and acknowledging the complex legacies of those who have shaped the country’s path.
“For all his strengths and his flaws, President Muhammadu Buhari gave himself to the service of this nation,” a senior presidency official told Africa Live News. “His role in our journey as a country is indelible, and we will honour him with the dignity he deserves.”
With the Tuesday emergency council session and full state honours underway, the nation prepares to bid a formal and emotional farewell to one of its most iconic — and at times divisive — leaders.
