President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has arrived at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport in Katsina State on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, to attend the burial of Nigeria’s former President, Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away in London over the weekend.
The solemn visit marks a moment of deep reflection for the nation as the sitting president joins family members, top government officials, and citizens from across Nigeria in paying final respects to his predecessor. Tinubu’s arrival at the Katsina airport comes just hours before Buhari is scheduled to be laid to rest at his private residence in Daura, Katsina State, in accordance with Islamic rites.
Late President Buhari died on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at the age of 82 in a London medical facility after a period of illness. The specific nature of his illness was not disclosed, but close family members and aides have confirmed that the former president had been battling health challenges in recent months. His passing was officially announced by the presidency late Sunday evening, triggering an outpouring of tributes and condolences from within Nigeria and around the world.
Following news of the former president’s death, President Tinubu immediately dispatched Vice President Kashim Shettima to London to accompany Buhari’s remains back to Nigeria. The decision to send the Vice President, along with Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila and a delegation of senior government officials, underscored the weight of the moment and the national importance attached to Buhari’s final journey.
The presidential jet conveying the late president’s remains arrived at the Katsina airport on Monday afternoon, where it was received by President Tinubu, members of the Federal Executive Council, the Katsina State Government, top military officers, and dignitaries from all arms of government. The casket, draped in the Nigerian flag, was solemnly moved into a state ambulance amid a heavy security presence.
President Tinubu, visibly moved, stood in quiet tribute alongside the family of the deceased leader, as clerics and Islamic scholars led short prayers on the tarmac before the funeral procession commenced its journey to Daura.
In a statement released shortly after the president’s arrival in Katsina, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, said Tinubu was personally committed to honouring the memory and legacy of President Buhari. “President Tinubu has consistently maintained that former President Muhammadu Buhari served this country with dedication, dignity, and discipline. He is here to honour that service,” the statement read.
Buhari, who served as Nigeria’s military Head of State between 1983 and 1985 and returned decades later as a democratically elected President from 2015 to 2023, leaves behind a complex legacy. Celebrated by many for his firm stance on corruption and public accountability, Buhari’s presidency was also marked by intense debates on national security, economic policy, and the state of democratic freedoms.
As preparations for his burial get underway in Daura, thousands of mourners have gathered along major roads in the town to catch a glimpse of the funeral convoy. Many carried placards bearing his image, Nigerian flags, and handwritten messages such as “Rest In Peace Baba Buhari” and “A True Patriot Goes Home.”
Security has been significantly tightened across Katsina State, particularly along the airport-to-Daura route. Personnel from the Nigerian Army, Police Force, Department of State Services, and Civil Defence have been deployed to ensure a safe and orderly burial ceremony.
The Chief Imam of Daura, Sheikh Yusuf Jikamshi, is expected to lead the Janazah (Islamic funeral prayer) at the Daura Central Mosque before the late president is laid to rest. Only close family members, top officials, and religious leaders will be allowed at the gravesite due to space and security constraints.
Across Nigeria, public institutions have opened condolence registers, and flags are flying at half-mast as part of a seven-day national mourning period declared by the Federal Government. State governors have also directed civil servants to observe moments of silence and reflect on the life and leadership of the late president.
In a tribute posted on social media, President Tinubu described Buhari as “a disciplined and patriotic Nigerian who dedicated his life to the service of the country. His love for Nigeria was undeniable. His integrity was unwavering. He will be deeply missed.”
Vice President Kashim Shettima, who accompanied the body back from London, also expressed his sorrow in a brief statement: “President Buhari was more than a leader—he was a symbol of sacrifice. He believed in Nigeria with every fibre of his being, and his life was a testament to service, duty, and resilience.”
Former world leaders and diplomatic missions have also paid tribute. The African Union, ECOWAS, and United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres each released statements lauding Buhari’s role in regional peacebuilding, economic cooperation, and security policy. The British Government, through its High Commission in Nigeria, also extended condolences, acknowledging Buhari’s long-standing relationship with the United Kingdom and his influence on West African diplomacy.
In Buhari’s hometown, the atmosphere is a blend of mourning and pride. Many residents recall the late president as a humble and principled man who never lost touch with his roots despite rising to the pinnacle of power.
“He would walk our streets without a convoy whenever he was in Daura,” said Alhaji Musa Bature, a community elder. “He believed in the people, and we believed in him. Today we are not just burying a former president—we are burying a son of Daura.”
As the nation watches Buhari take his final earthly journey, many Nigerians are reflecting not just on the end of an era, but also on the challenges that lie ahead. For President Tinubu, today’s presence at the funeral of his immediate predecessor is both a gesture of personal respect and a symbolic transfer of responsibility—to preserve what was built, and to chart a new path forward.
Reporting by Africa Live News
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