Nigeria on Tuesday paid an emotional final tribute to former President Muhammadu Buhari, as President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima led an array of dignitaries to Daura, Katsina State, for his burial.
Buhari, a former military Head of State and two-term civilian President, died in a London hospital on Sunday, July 13, 2025. His remains arrived at Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport, Katsina, around 2 p.m. aboard the Presidential Aircraft, the same jet he used throughout his presidency.
President Tinubu received the flag-draped coffin at the airport, accompanied by key government officials and Buhari’s family, including his wife, Aisha.
A military guard of honour was mounted before the casket was formally handed over to a joint team of senior military pallbearers, coordinated by Major General Mike Alechenu.
Among the pallbearers were Major Generals Mohammed Usman, Oluwafemi Williams, and Shuaibu Nuhu; Rear Admirals Suleiman Dahun, Jonathan Ajodo, and Samuel Ngatuwa; and Air Vice Marshals Adeniyi Amesinlola, Idi Sanni, and Obinna Obiabaka.
They wheeled the coffin in a solemn procession to the hymn “God Be With You Till We Meet Again,” passing through ranks of saluting officers and soldiers.
A military hearse transported the body to Daura for the funeral rites, accompanied by President Tinubu, Vice President Shettima, and a host of African leaders, including Guinea-Bissau President Umaru Sissoco Embaló, Niger Prime Minister Ali Lamine Zeine, and former Nigerien President Issoufou Mahamadou.
The funeral prayer, led by Chief Imam of Daura, Sheikh Salisu Rabiu, was held at the PMB Helicopter Ground and attended by throngs of mourners.
Prayers were offered for Allah’s mercy on Buhari’s soul and strength for his bereaved family and the nation.
Buhari was buried later that evening at his private residence in Daura, following Islamic rites and full military honours, including a 21-gun salute.
The ceremony drew a vast cross-section of Nigerian political, military, business, and traditional leadership:
Ministers present included Mohammed Idris (Information), Atiku Bagudu (Budget), Bello Matawalle (Defence, State), Abubakar Kyari (Agriculture), Isiaq Salako (Health, State), Ahmed Dangiwa (Housing), and Pre,sidential aide Ibrahim Masari.
Ex-Vice Presidents Yemi Osinbajo and Atiku Abubakar, former ministers Isa Pantami and Abubakar Malami.
Also Present were AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (Kwara, NGF Chair), Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Mai Mala Buni (Yobe), Abba Yusuf (Kano), Uba Sani (Kaduna), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe), Umar Namadi (Jigawa), Nasir Idris (Kebbi), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), Ahmed Aliyu (Sokoto), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Monday Okpebholo (Edo), Hope Uzodimma (Imo), and Bassey Otu (Cross River).
Ibrahim Shema, Ali Modu Sheriff, Nasir El-Rufai, Aminu Tambuwal, and Yahaya Bello.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, and several senators.
CDS General Christopher Musa, COAS Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, CNS Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, and former security chiefs Tukur Buratai and Yusuf Bichi.
Business moguls Aliko Dangote, Sayyu Dantata, and Dahiru Mangal attended alongside the Emirs of Katsina, Daura, and Kano.
Over 130 aircraft movements were recorded at Katsina Airport between Monday and Tuesday due to the influx of dignitaries.
The interment took place at 5:50 p.m., witnessed by close family members, President Tinubu, and other dignitaries. As the sun set over Daura, Nigerians at home and abroad reflected on the legacy of a leader whose influence shaped decades of the nation’s history.
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May Allah grant him Aljannatul Firdaus.
