Former President, Muhammadu Buhari has been confirmed dead.
The confirmation was posted by his former aide, Bashir Ahmad, and his spokesperson, Garba Shehu.
Garba Shehu short statement reads:
“The family of the former president has announced the passing on of the former president, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, this afternoon in a clinic in London.
May Allah accept him in Aljannatul Firdaus, Amin.”
Recall that former President, Muhammadu Buhari was on many occasions hospitalised in London during his tenure as Nigeria’s leader.
While in office between 2015 and 2023, former President Muhammadu Buhari made at least 13 known medical trips to the United Kingdom (UK).
In February 2016, he traveled to the UK for a “medical vacation” for approximately 6 days.
Also from June 6–19, 2016, Buhari sought treatment in London for a persistent ear infection. At the time, he cancelled a two-day working visit to Lagos state.
In 2017, President Buhari spent several months in the UK receiving medical treatment, which led to widespread speculation about his health and even rumors of his death.
By late 2017 and into 2018, a viral conspiracy theory started to spread, especially on social media, claiming that Buhari had died and been replaced by a lookalike from Sudan named Jibril.
From Jan 19–Mar 10, 2018, the former Nigerian leader first extended the trip to London for about 50–51 days.
He reportedly underwent a blood transfusion and told Nigerians “I’ve never been so sick in my life.”
On May 7–Aug 19, Buhari had his longest medical trip—104 days in London—with limited official updates fueling speculation of his death.
Also from Aug 3–18, 2018, Buhari had an additional 16-day working/medical leave in the UK.
Fast forward to April 25–May 5, 2019, a 10-day private trip to the UK was taken by the former President.
Between Nov 2–17, 2019 he had another 15-day private stay in London.
After the pandemic lockdown, former President Muhammadu Buhari resumed health trips on Mar 30 to mid-April 2021.
From June–Aug 2021, he extended UK trip alongside attending an education summit .
In March and October 2022, Buhari took two undisclosed check-up trips to London .
In May 2025, the former President took his last known medical ‘routine check up’ to London which was around the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) 50th anniversary.
He sent a letter to the delegation in Lagos, through President Bola Tinubu, wishing the African leaders well.
Few weeks back, reports surfaced that the former President was in the Intensive Care Unit on an undisclosed London hospital.
He was confirmed dead on Sunday, 13th July, 2025.
