Power, Patriotism, and Public Scrutiny: The Muhammadu Buhari Story
Muhammadu Buhari (1942–2025) was a Nigerian leader who first ruled the country as a military head of state and later served as its democratically elected president . He was born on 17 December 1942 in Daura, in northern Katsina state . A Fulani Muslim from a large family, Buhari joined the Nigerian Army at age 19 . He trained at military academies in Nigeria, Britain, India and the U.S. . Buhari’s early service included a prominent role in Nigeria’s civil war (1967–1970), where he helped defeat secessionists. In 1975, after a coup that overthrew the civilian government of General Yakubu Gowon, Buhari was appointed military governor of Borno State in Nigeria’s northeast .
Military Head of State (1983–1985)
In December 1983, Buhari himself led a military coup that deposed the civilian president and made him Nigeria’s head of state . He quickly gained a reputation for strict discipline and anti-corruption measures. He launched a campaign known as the “War Against Indiscipline,” punishing tardiness and corruption. For example, students caught cheating on exams were jailed, and late-arriving workers were forced to do exercises like frog jumps as punishment . His government cut government spending and took a tough line on international lenders. However, Buhari’s first time in power was short: in August 1985 he was overthrown by another military coup led by General Ibrahim Babangida .
Path to Democracy
After losing power, Buhari spent many years as a private citizen and politician. He ran for president several times in Nigeria’s new democracy (in elections in the late 1980s and 1990s), but only won the presidency in 2015. In that historic election he stood as the opposition candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) party and defeated the incumbent president, Goodluck Jonathan . This made Buhari the first Nigerian opposition candidate ever to unseat a sitting president by election . He took office in May 2015 at age 73, campaigning on promises to fight corruption and revitalize the economy.
Presidency (2015–2023)
As president, Buhari became known for his firm anti-corruption stance. He famously carried a broom during campaigns to symbolize his pledge to “sweep away” graft . His administration created new agencies and funds to clean up government finances and improve infrastructure. For example, the government launched an “Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund” to rebuild roads, railways and airports. Under this program several major transport projects were completed: the 156 km Lagos–Ibadan rail line, the 186 km Abuja–Kaduna rail line, and the 327 km Itakpe–Warri rail line were commissioned during his term . New airport terminals were opened in Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt, and major roads and bridges were built or repaired . Supporters of Buhari praised these projects and his discipline-focused style of leadership.
Buhari’s presidency also faced significant challenges. A crash in global oil prices in 2016 led to Nigeria’s first recession in decades, and inflation and unemployment rose sharply. The insurgency by the militant group Boko Haram, which had begun before Buhari’s tenure, actually spread to new regions during his rule. Many Nigerians continued to suffer from kidnappings, bandit attacks and food insecurity. Critics say that Buhari’s methods, while strict, did not quickly end the violence: one news report noted that after his 2015 election victory “violence that had mostly been confined to the northeast spread” under his watch . In 2020 nationwide protests erupted over police brutality (the “End SARS” movement), forcing Buhari to disband the notorious police unit SARS under public pressure . Observers also pointed out that Buhari often spent long periods abroad for medical treatment (in 2017 and 2018), which raised questions about who was leading the country during those times . Some argued that his anti-corruption campaign was uneven, targeting mainly political rivals .
Despite these difficulties, Buhari completed his full two terms. In February 2019 he was re-elected with about 55% of the vote, even though many voters were dissatisfied with the economy . By the end of his second term, public opinion was mixed. Supporters highlighted the new infrastructure and his efforts to cut wasteful spending, while critics including internationally known author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie argued that insecurity and economic hardship had worsened under his watch.
Departure and Legacy
The Nigerian constitution bars a president from serving more than two terms. Buhari therefore left office in May 2023 and was succeeded by his fellow APC party member Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the former governor of Lagos State . After leaving the presidency, Buhari largely remained out of public life. He continued to deal with health issues, traveling to London for treatment several times. On 13 July 2025, his family announced that Buhari had died in a London clinic at age 82 after a “long illness” .
Muhammadu Buhari is remembered as Nigeria’s first leader who reached the presidency both as a soldier and as an elected civilian. He often described himself as a “converted democrat” and was famous for the saying “I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody,” reflecting his intent to be an impartial leader . His legacy is seen as mixed. Many Nigerians respect his personal honesty and focus on discipline and infrastructure development. Others note that many of the problems he inherited such as corruption and insecurity remained serious throughout his terms. In 2025, news outlets noted his passing by summarizing his career: a former military ruler turned democratically elected president who strove to fight corruption but faced tough economic and security challenges.