Vice President Kashim Shettima and the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, have departed Abuja for London, United Kingdom, to accompany the remains of former President Muhammadu Buhari back to Nigeria, as directed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The move comes in the wake of Buhari’s passing on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at approximately 4:30 p.m., while receiving medical treatment for an undisclosed ailment in London. He was 82.
The late president’s body is expected to arrive in Nigeria early Monday, July 14, for burial in his hometown, Daura, Katsina State, in accordance with Islamic traditions. Final arrangements for the state funeral are underway, with enhanced security and logistical coordination at both Abuja and Katsina airports.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice President, Mr. Stanley Nkwocha, confirmed the development in a brief statement issued Sunday night. “As directed by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima and Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila have departed Abuja for London to accompany the body of our late leader, President Muhammadu Buhari, back to Nigeria,” Nkwocha stated.
The decision by President Tinubu to delegate two of the most senior officials of his administration to accompany the late statesman underscores the respect and honour being accorded to Buhari in death.
Muhammadu Buhari, a figure whose legacy continues to stir both admiration and debate, served as Nigeria’s Head of State in two significant chapters of its history. He first ruled the country as a military leader from January 1984 to August 1985, following a coup that overthrew President Shehu Shagari’s administration. During that brief but memorable period, Buhari became known for his austere discipline, anti-corruption stance, and controversial decrees.
Years later, after a prolonged effort to return to leadership through democratic means, Buhari was elected President in 2015, making history as the first opposition candidate to defeat a sitting Nigerian president at the ballot box. He would go on to serve two full terms until May 2023, when he handed over to his successor, President Bola Tinubu.
Buhari’s eight years in office were marked by bold initiatives in infrastructure, anti-corruption reforms, and security operations. However, his administration also faced criticism over rising insecurity, economic stagnation, and perceived ethnic bias in federal appointments. Nonetheless, he remained a deeply respected figure in northern Nigeria and was often praised for his modest lifestyle and dedication to public service.
After completing his final term in May 2023, Buhari retired to Daura, Katsina State, where he was said to have resumed his pastoral interests and avoided the public eye. In February 2025, he relocated to his Kaduna residence, reportedly due to health concerns and proximity to better medical services.
His final hospitalization in London was kept private, and only close aides were aware of the gravity of his condition. As news of his death broke on Sunday evening, tributes began pouring in from leaders across Nigeria and beyond. President Bola Tinubu described Buhari as a “towering patriot,” and announced a full state funeral in his honour.
“I have also summoned an emergency Federal Executive Council session on Tuesday, dedicated to his honour,” Tinubu said in a personally signed statement. “The Federal Government will accord President Buhari full state honours befitting his towering contributions to our country.”
The late president’s death marks the end of an era in Nigeria’s political journey. From military barracks to the ballot box, Buhari’s influence spanned more than four decades. His supporters credit him with restoring a sense of discipline to governance and pushing forward major infrastructure development, especially in rail and road transport.
In the early hours of Monday, security was visibly tightened at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, where Shettima and Gbajabiamila departed. Sources within the presidency confirmed that a presidential aircraft has been dispatched to London, and Buhari’s body will be flown to Daura immediately after all diplomatic formalities in the UK are completed.
Security presence has also been intensified in Daura, with Nigerian military personnel, state security services, and local police coordinating burial arrangements. Senior Islamic clerics are expected to lead the Janazah (funeral prayer), while key political leaders, traditional rulers, and foreign dignitaries are anticipated to attend.
Former leaders including Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, and General Yakubu Gowon have all sent condolences, acknowledging Buhari’s place in Nigeria’s modern history. Olusegun Obasanjo described Buhari as “a comrade and co-patriot,” adding that his sense of duty and patriotism would be remembered.
National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu also expressed his condolences, saying: “He will be remembered for his indelible records of service, patriotism, and strict sense of duty to our nation and its people. May Allah grant him eternal rest.”
Buhari’s passing has not only brought moments of mourning but also sparked reflection on his complex and influential political journey. Analysts say that while his legacy remains contested in some quarters, his role in shaping the trajectory of Nigeria’s governance is undeniable.
For now, all eyes turn to Daura, where Nigerians will pay their final respects to a man who — whether as General Muhammadu Buhari or President Muhammadu Buhari — left a permanent mark on the nation’s history. As his body returns from London with Vice President Shettima and Chief of Staff Gbajabiamila by its side, the country prepares to lay to rest one of its most consequential leaders.
