President Tinubu, African Leaders to Attend Buhari’s Burial in Daura Today

Former President Muhammadu Buhari will be laid to rest today in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State, following his death in London on Sunday. His body is scheduled to arrive at the Katsina airport by noon before being flown by helicopter to Daura, where the burial will take place at 2 PM in accordance with Islamic rites.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will lead a high-level delegation to receive the body and attend the funeral. He will be joined by former President of Niger Republic, Mahamadou Issoufou, and several other current and former African leaders. As of last night, many dignitaries had confirmed their intention to attend the Janaza prayers.

Daura, already overwhelmed with mourners, has been placed under tight security. Security personnel from the Army and police are stationed across key entry points to the town. While the late president’s political support came largely from ordinary Nigerians, particularly the downtrodden, access restrictions are expected to limit their presence at the funeral venue.

No fewer than 25 ministers, National Assembly leaders, governors, traditional rulers, business figures, and top public and private officials are in attendance. Buhari will be buried at his private residence, marking the end of a long public career that saw him serve both as military head of state (1984–1985) and two-term civilian president (2015–2023).

President Tinubu declared a seven-day national mourning period, during which flags are to fly at half-mast across the country. Ministries, departments, and agencies have been directed to open condolence registers at their entrances, with central registers also available at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja.

An 18-member inter-ministerial committee led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, is coordinating the state burial. Members include Finance Minister Wale Edun, Budget and Planning Minister Atiku Bagudu, Defence Minister Abubakar Badaru, Works Minister Dave Umahi, Interior Minister Bunmi Ojo, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, Information Minister Mohammed Idris, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, DSS Director-General Tosin Ajayi, Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Christopher Musa, and others.

Vice President Kashim Shettima personally travelled to London to accompany the body and family members back home. On arrival in London, he conveyed President Tinubu’s condolences to the bereaved family, led by former First Lady Aisha Buhari. He also visited Mallam Mamman Daura, a close relative of the late President who is receiving treatment in a London hospital, as well as former Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar.

General Abdulsalami, speaking on a national television programme, revealed that he and Buhari were hospitalised in the same facility prior to Buhari’s death. He described the late President as “a gentleman who was very quiet and exceptionally honest,” recalling their long-standing relationship dating back to their military service in the early 1960s.

Abdulsalami said Buhari could be trusted with anything and would never betray that trust. He praised Buhari’s anti-corruption efforts, especially the War Against Indiscipline (WAI) launched during his military regime, though he noted that not all officials in Buhari’s civilian administration lived up to expectations.

Since Buhari’s passing, tributes have poured in from across the continent. Former President Goodluck Jonathan and former Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo visited Vice President Shettima in London to pay their respects, underscoring Buhari’s broad influence across Africa.