IBB, Sierra Leone’s President Bio Mourn Passing of Former Nigerian Leader Buhari
It is with a deeply heavy heart that I received the news of the passing of my friend, my brother, my course mate, and a fellow soldier in the journey of nationhood, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, has said.
Our paths crossed in 1962 when we both joined the Nigerian Military Training College in Kaduna. From those early days, Muhammadu stood out — quiet yet resolute, principled yet humble, deeply patriotic and fiercely loyal to Nigeria. Through the years, we shared trenches and trials, dreams and disappointments, victories and moments of reflection. Our bond was forged not only by military training, but by a shared commitment to the ideals of service, discipline, and love for country.
In the course of our long careers, fate placed both of us in leadership at different times, and in very different circumstances. But in all, Buhari remained consistent in his belief in integrity, order, and the dignity of public office. He served Nigeria with a deep sense of responsibility and unwavering commitment, even when the road was lonely or misunderstood.
Beyond the uniform and the public glare, I knew him as a deeply spiritual man, a man who found solace in faith, and who carried himself with the humility of someone who believed in a higher calling. We may not have agreed on everything — as brothers often don’t — but I never once doubted his sincerity or his patriotism.
His passing today is not just the loss of a former Head of State, or a two-term civilian President. It is the loss of a symbol — a man whose life embodied the transition of Nigeria from the old guard to the new republic. A man who, even in retirement, remained a moral compass to many, and an example of modesty in public life.
To his beloved wife Aisha, his children, grandchildren, and the nation he loved and served — I extend my deepest condolences. May Allah (SWT), in His infinite mercy, forgive his shortcomings, accept his deeds, and grant him Aljannatul Firdaus.
May his legacy endure.
Also, President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone has expressed profound grief following the death of former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away on Sunday, July 13, 2025.
In a statement released from State House in Freetown, President Bio extended heartfelt condolences to the Nigerian government and people, President Bola Tinubu, and the bereaved family of the late leader.
President Bio, who also chairs the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, lauded Buhari as a “formidable statesman” whose commitment to Nigeria would remain a lasting legacy.
He further acknowledged Buhari’s leadership during his tenure as Chairperson of the ECOWAS Authority, highlighting his dedication to regional peace, stability, and economic integration as a hallmark of his stewardship.
”During this time of great sorrow, Sierra Leone stands in solidarity with the people of Nigeria. We join all West Africans and the global community in mourning the loss of a true patriot,” President Bio affirmed.
The statement did not specify the cause of former President Buhari’s death.
Muhammadu Buhari served as Nigeria’s President from 2015 to 2023.
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