On July 13, 2025, Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria’s former military ruler turned civilian president, passed away in a private medical facility in London. His death, attributed to a long-term illness, came as little surprise to those familiar with his recurring medical evacuations and the quiet pattern of deteriorating health that shadowed his later years.

Though exact medical records remain confidential, multiple close aides had long hinted at an undisclosed form of blood cancer—most consistently, leukemia. His health was often shielded from the public, fueling both concern and conspiracy throughout his time in office and afterward.

Health Battles That Defined His Presidency

Buhari's struggle with illness was neither sudden nor brief. Beginning early in his presidential tenure, he routinely left Nigeria for extended medical treatments abroad. These absences, sometimes lasting months, stirred unrest back home. Critics argued that the prolonged foreign stays were a dereliction of duty, while others saw them as necessary retreats for a man whose commitment to leading never waned, even as his body faltered.

The contradiction between his presidential campaigns—where he promised reform and national rejuvenation—and his personal reliance on foreign healthcare, exposed a painful truth: Nigeria’s own medical system was unfit to serve even its head of state.

Silence and Speculation

In Buhari's final years, he rarely appeared in public without noticeable signs of fatigue. His silence on the exact nature of his illness only heightened speculation. Rumors flourished, ranging from brain damage to long-term organ failure. The secrecy surrounding his health became a national talking point, casting long shadows over the functionality of his leadership.

Even as he withdrew from active political discourse after leaving office in 2023, his health remained a sensitive issue. His final admission to the London hospital came weeks before his death, during a period marked by minimal public appearances and declining physical presence.

A Career of Contrasts

Muhammadu Buhari’s journey through Nigerian history was marked by sharp contradictions. He first seized power in a 1983 military coup, branding himself as a disciplinarian leader determined to restore order. Yet, decades later, he reemerged in 2015 as a democratically elected president, pledging to root out corruption and stabilize Nigeria’s economy.

His rule saw mixed results. Security issues persisted, economic challenges deepened, and his anti-corruption war met both praise and skepticism. Despite these, many remembered him as a symbol of resilience—a man who returned from obscurity to lead a divided nation through turbulent times.

The Health Question and National Image

Buhari's medical journeys did more than signal personal decline—they underscored the vulnerabilities of the Nigerian state. His dependence on foreign hospitals reinforced the perception that Nigeria’s elite had abandoned the nation’s institutions. Every trip to London reignited debate about medical tourism, healthcare reform, and government accountability.

While his administration tried to downplay these concerns, the optics could not be ignored. Each flight abroad reminded citizens of the glaring disparities in access to care—between those in power and those left behind.

The Final Curtain

Muhammadu Buhari died at the age of 82, far from the soil he once governed with iron resolve. His final moments in a foreign hospital room stand in poignant contrast to the nationalist rhetoric that defined his public life. The man who promised to rebuild Nigeria drew his last breath in a private ward thousands of miles from the country he served.

His death has now reopened debates around legacy, health transparency, and the state of national leadership. What remains is a portrait of a figure who defied defeat, concealed his frailties, and walked the line between power and vulnerability.