His death was announced in a statement posted to his official social media account by Garba Shehu, his longtime spokesman, who said the former president passed away at a private clinic after a prolonged illness. Buhari had been receiving medical care in the United Kingdom since April.
A retired major general, Mr. Buhari served as Nigeria’s democratically elected president from 2015 to 2023, following a successful campaign on an anti-corruption platform. He previously ruled the country as military head of state between 1984 and 1985, after taking power in a coup d’état.
During his presidency, Mr. Buhari focused on combating endemic graft, reforming Nigeria’s public institutions, and curbing the influence of Islamist insurgent groups in the country’s northeast. His administration was also marked by economic volatility driven by falling oil prices and rising debt.
Mr. Buhari frequently traveled abroad for medical treatment during his time in office, often sparking public debate over transparency and the state of presidential health. According to people familiar with the matter, his health appeared to improve after he left office in May 2023, but declined again earlier this year
