Nelson Ugwuagbo

The Alumni Association of the National Institute (AANI) has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Nigeria’s former President, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, who passed away on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at a hospital in London, United Kingdom.

In a condolence message released by AANI, the President of the association, Ambassador Emmanuel Obi Okafor, mni, extended heartfelt sympathies on behalf of the National Executive Committee and the entire AANI community to the family of the late President, the Government and people of Katsina State, and the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

Ambassador Okafor described the late President as a symbol of integrity, accountability, and selfless leadership. He also offered prayers for the peaceful repose of Buhari’s soul, urging Nigerians to remain united and continue to work towards the peace and prosperity of the nation during this time of national mourning.

He further commended President Bola Tinubu for the dignified and responsible manner in which the Federal Government has managed the situation following the former leader’s passing.

AANI paid tribute to Buhari’s lifelong dedication to nation-building and governance, highlighting his disciplined, focused leadership style as a legacy that will remain central to Nigeria’s democratic evolution.
President Muhammadu Buhari, a former military Head of State from 1984 to 1985 and Nigeria’s democratically elected President from 2015 to 2023, died after a period of illness. He was 82 years old.

Buhari’s military career, which began in 1962, saw him rise to several commanding positions in the Nigerian Army. His tenure in public service was marked by a fierce stance against corruption and a commitment to national security, principles that earned him widespread respect.

The United Nations has joined the global community in mourning the death of former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away on Sunday in London at the age of 82.

In a statement issued through his spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep sorrow over Buhari’s passing, describing him as a committed leader who contributed significantly to Nigeria’s development and regional stability.

“During his tenure, President Buhari demonstrated a deep commitment to the sovereignty, stability, and development of his country,” Guterres said.

He further highlighted Buhari’s role in advancing peace and security across West Africa and the Lake Chad Basin, noting his efforts in regional counterterrorism and multilateral cooperation.

Guterres praised Buhari as “a strong advocate for multilateral and regional cooperation,” emphasizing his leadership within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Meanwhile, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed paid a personal tribute by visiting Nigeria House in New York, where she signed the condolence register and offered prayers. Mohammed had previously served as Nigeria’s Minister of Environment under Buhari’s administration.

TikTok has removed more than 3.6 million videos posted by Nigerian users in the first quarter of 2025 for violating its community guidelines, according to the platform’s latest enforcement report.

The figure represents a sharp increase of 50 percent from the 2.4 million videos taken down in the last quarter of 2024.

In its Q1 2025 Community Guidelines Enforcement Report, TikTok revealed a proactive detection rate of 98.4 percent, indicating that the vast majority of violative content was removed before users had the chance to report it.

The report also noted that 92.1 percent of the removed videos were taken down within 24 hours of being uploaded.

In addition to content violations, TikTok said it disrupted covert influence operations in March 2025, removing 129 accounts across West Africa that were linked to coordinated inauthentic behavior.

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has criticised former Governor Rauf Aregbesola, accusing him of leaving behind a significant debt burden for successive administrations in the state.

Speaking at an event, Adeleke took aim at Aregbesola, who now serves as the Interim National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), over the financial liabilities incurred during his tenure from November 2010 to November 2018.

The comments mark a shift in the previously cordial public relationship between both politicians since Adeleke assumed office in November 2022.

Aregbesola was in Osogbo on Sunday, where he mobilised supporters ahead of the 2027 general elections and urged residents to join the ADC, stating that the party would take control of Osun State in 2026.

The remains of former President Muhammadu Buhari arrived at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport in Katsina State on Tuesday, amid tight security and emotional scenes.

Buhari, who died on Sunday at the age of 82 in a United Kingdom clinic, will be buried later today in his hometown of Daura in line with Islamic burial rites.

A nine-man committee set up by President Bola Tinubu to coordinate the funeral received the body at the airport. The committee comprises senior government officials, religious leaders, and representatives of the Armed Forces.

Also present at the airport was Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who arrived earlier in the day dressed in black.

President Bola Tinubu has arrived at the Katsina State airport ahead of the burial of former President Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away on Sunday in London.

Buhari died at a clinic in the United Kingdom while receiving treatment for an undisclosed illness.

In response to the development, President Tinubu dispatched Vice President Kashim Shettima to London to accompany the late President’s remains back to Nigeria.

Buhari is scheduled to be buried later today (Tuesday) at his residence in Daura, Katsina State.

The Federal Government has declared Tuesday, July 15, 2025, as a public holiday in honour of former President Muhammadu Buhari, who died on Sunday at the age of 82.

Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the announcement on behalf of the government, following the approval of President Bola Tinubu.

The declaration is part of the seven-day national mourning period earlier announced by the President to honour the late leader’s life and legacy.

Buhari passed away at a clinic in London, with his death confirmed in a statement issued on Sunday evening by his former Special Adviser, Garba Shehu.

The residence of late former President Muhammadu Buhari in Daura, Katsina State, has begun receiving a stream of dignitaries and political figures ahead of his scheduled burial on Tuesday.

Among the early arrivals are Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and former Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, who is currently in London on the directive of President Bola Tinubu, is leading a Federal Government delegation to facilitate the repatriation of the late President’s remains.

Sources indicate that official documentation is underway to release Buhari’s body to the Nigerian authorities, with the delegation expected to return to Nigeria ahead of the burial ceremony in Daura.

Vice President Kashim Shettima on Monday visited Aisha Buhari, the widow of late former President Muhammadu Buhari, in London.

Shettima is leading a Federal Government delegation to facilitate the repatriation of the former President’s remains to Nigeria. During the visit, he also met with members of the late President’s family, including his children.

Photographs from the visit, now circulating on social media, show the Vice President consoling the former First Lady and her children, who appeared visibly grief-stricken.

Buhari, who previously served as Nigeria’s military Head of State and later as a democratically elected President, died in London after a prolonged illness. While in office, he spent a total of at least 225 days on medical leave abroad, including a 104-day stay in London in 2017.

The Federal Government delegation is expected to return to Nigeria with Buhari’s remains on Tuesday, ahead of his burial scheduled to hold the same day in his hometown, Daura, Katsina State.