Late Muhammadu Buhari Biography: Personal Life
Muhammadu Buhari was born on December 17, 1942, in Daura, Katsina State, Nigeria, to a Muslim Fulani family. His father, Mallam Hardo Adamu, a Fulani chieftain, had 23 children, with Buhari being the last. His mother, Zulaihat, raised him after his father’s death when Buhari was around four years old, under the guardianship of Waziri Alhassan, son of Emir Musa dan Nuhu.
Buhari married Safinatu Yusuf in 1971, and they had five children: Zulaihat (deceased), Fatima, Musa (deceased), Hadiza, and Safinatu. They divorced in 1988, and Safinatu died in 2006 from diabetes complications. In 1989, Buhari married Aisha Halilu, with whom he has five children: Aisha, Halima, Yusuf, Zahra, and Amina.
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Late Muhammadu Buhari Biography: Early Life
Raised in Daura, Buhari grew up in a rural environment, attending Qur’anic school and assisting with cattle rearing, reflecting his Fulani heritage. His mother ensured he pursued formal education despite financial struggles after his father’s death. His early life instilled discipline and community values, which later defined his leadership style.
Education
Buhari’s formal education began at primary schools in Daura and Mai’adua (1948–1952), followed by Katsina Middle School in 1953. He attended Katsina Provincial Secondary School (now Government College, Katsina) from 1956 to 1961, earning his West African School Certificate. He was house captain and headboy, showing early leadership. Initially aspiring to study medicine, he chose a military career due to the lengthy path to a pharmacology degree, influenced by his cousin Mamman Daura and junior officer Hassan Katsina.
His military education included:
- 1961–1962: Nigerian Military Training College (NMTC), Kaduna.
- 1962–1963: Officer Cadet Training at Mons Officer Cadet School, Aldershot, England.
- 1963–1964: Platoon Commanders’ Course, Nigerian Military College, Kaduna.
- 1965: Mechanical Transport Officers’ Course, Army Mechanical Transport School, Borden, England.
- 1973: Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, India.
- 1979–1980: United States Army War College, Washington, D.C.
Controversy over his educational qualifications arose during the 2015 election when opponents claimed he lacked a school certificate, as required by Nigeria’s Constitution. Buhari stated his original certificates were lost during the 1985 coup when his house was raided. The issue was later resolved, with his credentials verified.
Military Career
Buhari joined the Nigerian Army in 1961, commissioned as a second lieutenant in January 1963. His early roles included:
- 1963–1964: Platoon Commander, Second Infantry Battalion, Abeokuta.
- 1965–1967: Commander, Second Infantry Battalion, and Brigade Major, Second Sector, First Infantry Division.
- 1967–1970: Served in the Nigerian Civil War under Lieutenant Colonel Mohammed Shuwa, protecting food supply routes during the Biafran conflict.
He participated in the 1966 counter-coup that ousted General Aguiyi Ironsi, installing Yakubu Gowon. In 1975, he was involved in the coup that removed Gowon, leading to his appointment as Military Governor of North-Eastern State (now Borno) under General Murtala Mohammed. In 1976, he became Federal Commissioner for Petroleum and Natural Resources under General Olusegun Obasanjo and was appointed the first Chairman of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) from 1976 to 1978, overseeing oil infrastructure development. He later served as Military Secretary (1977) and commanded a division in Kaduna (1979).
Military Head of State (1983–1985)
On December 31, 1983, Buhari led a coup against President Shehu Shagari’s civilian government, becoming Head of State at age 41. His regime focused on economic austerity and anti-corruption, introducing the War Against Indiscipline (WAI) on March 20, 1984, to promote public morality and civic responsibility. Measures included public humiliation of tardy civil servants and harsh penalties for offenses like cheating (21 years imprisonment) or counterfeiting (death penalty). Hundreds of politicians and officials were jailed for corruption. However, his authoritarian measures, including press restrictions and jailing critics like Fela Kuti, drew criticism. On August 27, 1985, General Ibrahim Babangida overthrew him, and Buhari was detained in Benin City until December 1988.
Political Career
After his release, Buhari chaired the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) from 1994 to 1998 under General Sani Abacha, managing infrastructure projects in roads, water, education, health, and food supply. He entered politics in 2003, running for president under the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), losing to Olusegun Obasanjo. He ran again in 2007 (ANPP) and 2011 (Congress for Progressive Change, CPC), losing to Umaru Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan, respectively. In 2014, he became the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, winning the 2015 election against Jonathan—the first time an opposition candidate defeated an incumbent in Nigeria. He was re-elected in 2019, defeating Atiku Abubakar by over 3 million votes.
Presidency (2015–2023)
Buhari’s presidency, from May 29, 2015, to May 29, 2023, focused on anti-corruption, security, and economic diversification. Key initiatives included:
- Anti-Corruption: Established the Presidential Advisory Committee against Corruption and introduced the Treasury Single Account and Whistleblower Policy. Over $300 million in looted funds were recovered from Sani Abacha’s accounts. Critics, however, accused him of targeting political opponents.
- Security: Launched operations against Boko Haram, reclaiming territory and securing the release of some Chibok schoolgirls kidnapped in 2014. However, the insurgency persisted, and farmer-herder clashes in the Middle Belt escalated, with over 300 civilians killed in Benue and 40 in Enugu, displacing 250,000 people. Critics noted a perceived bias in disarming Christian militias while being lenient toward Muslim herders.
- Economic Policies: Launched the National Social Investment Program (2016), including N-Power (job training for youth) and the Conditional Cash Transfer Program for the poor. Economic challenges persisted, with a 2016 recession due to low oil prices, high unemployment (23% by 2019), and slow reforms. Border closures in 2019 aimed to curb smuggling but caused economic hardship.
Buhari’s health was a recurring issue, with frequent medical trips to the UK, fueling rumors of a body double (“Jubril of Sudan”), which he and aides debunked. His administration was criticized for slow decision-making, earning him the nickname “Baba-Go-Slow,” and for perceived undemocratic tendencies.
Awards and Honors
National: Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (GCFR).
International: National Order of the Lion (Senegal, 2022), Highest National Honor (Guinea-Bissau, 2022), African Award for Strengthening Peace (2023), ECOWAS Democracy Icon Award (2023).
Traditional Titles: Ogbuagu I, Enyioma I, Ochioha I, Ikeogu I of Igboland (2017–2018).
Legacy
Buhari’s legacy is divisive. Supporters praise his anti-corruption efforts, infrastructure investments (roads, railways), and agricultural boosts. His reputation for personal integrity, modest lifestyle, and appeal among northern “talakawa” (commoners) endured. Critics highlight economic stagnation (0.9% average growth rate), rising poverty, ongoing insecurity, and human rights concerns, including the #EndSARS protests against police brutality. The farmer-herder conflict’s ethnic and religious dimensions worsened under his watch, stoking tensions. His War Against Indiscipline remains a notable legacy, though its authoritarian methods are debated.
Death
Buhari died on 13 July 2025, in London, United Kingdom while receiving medical treatment, After being hospitalised according to his spokesperson Garba Shehu. He was 82 years old at the time of his death.
Disclaimer
The information in this article was curated from Wikipedia. All details cannot be independently verified by Daily News 24 or its editorial team
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