BREAKING: Former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari Dies at 82

Nigeria is in mourning as former President Muhammadu Buhari has been confirmed dead at the age of 82.

The elder statesman, who served as Nigeria’s President from 2015 to 2023, reportedly passed away peacefully in the early hours of Sunday, surrounded by close family members. Though details remain sketchy, sources within the presidency confirmed the development, describing his final moments as "quiet, dignified, and deeply reflective of his lifelong commitment to service."

Born on December 17, 1942, in Daura, Katsina State, Muhammadu Buhari’s life was defined by decades of public service and military discipline. His political journey spanned both military and civilian regimes, earning him a unique place in Nigeria's complex history.

Buhari first took the national stage as Military Head of State following the December 31, 1983 coup, ruling until his overthrow in August 1985. His reign was marked by his trademark anti-corruption drive and strict economic discipline, remembered through the "War Against Indiscipline" campaign that redefined public conduct in the mid-1980s.

Prior to that, Buhari served as Governor of Borno State briefly in 1976, and notably as Federal Commissioner (Minister) for Petroleum and Natural Resources from 1976 to 1978 under the Olusegun Obasanjo military government—making him the man who oversaw Nigeria's oil sector during pivotal years of OPEC alignment and economic shifts.

In 1995, under the Abacha regime, Buhari returned to the limelight as the Chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF), where he supervised one of Nigeria’s largest infrastructural intervention programs funded by excess crude savings.

Buhari reemerged decades later as a civilian politician, running for president multiple times before finally winning in 2015 under the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform. His presidency, spanning eight years, was shaped by economic reform struggles, a relentless anti-graft stance, and a controversial handling of security issues and human rights records. Yet, he retained a loyal base who viewed him as a symbol of integrity and national discipline.

He controversially retained the portfolio of Minister of Petroleum Resources throughout his presidential tenure from 2015 to 2023, a move that sparked widespread debate over transparency in Nigeria’s oil governance.

Despite his critics, even detractors often acknowledged Buhari’s unshakable commitment to public order and his personal austerity—traits that stood in stark contrast to many of his contemporaries.

As tributes pour in from around the world, Nigeria reflects on the life of a man who rose from a dusty town in Katsina to become a two-time leader of Africa’s largest democracy. A soldier, a statesman, a father, and a controversial but deeply consequential figure—Muhammadu Buhari’s legacy will undoubtedly spark debates for generations to come.

Further details on funeral arrangements and official state tributes are expected to be released by the Presidency in the coming hours.