DAURA, KATSINA STATE — Nigeria’s political and military elite, joined by foreign dignitaries, gathered in Daura on Tuesday, July 15, to pay their final respects to former President Muhammadu Buhari in a solemn state funeral attended by President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and several former leaders.
The late president’s remains arrived aboard the Presidential Aircraft at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport in Katsina at 1:51 p.m., wrapped in the Nigerian flag and received with full military honours by President Tinubu and other top officials. Buhari’s final journey from London, where he passed away on Sunday, July 13, concluded with his burial in his hometown of Daura according to Islamic rites.
High-Powered Attendance
Among the dignitaries present were President Umaru Sissoco Embaló of Guinea-Bissau, Niger Republic’s Prime Minister Ali Lamine Zeine, former Nigerien President Issoufou Mahamadou, and former Nigerian Vice Presidents Yemi Osinbajo and Atiku Abubakar.
Governors from over 20 states including Lagos, Kano, Bauchi, Kaduna, and Imo attended the ceremony, alongside National Assembly leaders like Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas.
Also in attendance were former governors, top military chiefs including General Christopher Musa (CDS), Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede (COAS), and service chiefs past and present. Business magnates such as Aliko Dangote, Sayyu Dantata, and Dahiru Mangal joined traditional rulers led by the Emirs of Daura, Katsina, and Kano.
Final Military Salute
A team of nine senior military officers, coordinated by Major General Mike Alechenu, carried the casket through a solemn military procession while a full military band played the hymn “God Be With You Till We Meet Again.” The Nigerian Armed Forces fired a 21-gun salute in honour of Buhari, who served as military ruler from 1984 to 1985 and was elected president in 2015 and re-elected in 2019.
At exactly 5:50 p.m., Buhari was laid to rest in his Daura residence, as prayers and tributes continued to pour in across the country and beyond.
Nation in Mourning
In his tribute, President Tinubu described Buhari as “a patriot, a soldier, and a statesman who stood firm through turbulent times.” He ordered that national flags be flown at half-mast for seven days and directed that Buhari be accorded full state honours.
Former cabinet members shared emotional memories. Ex-Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Sadiya Farouq, described Buhari as “a father, mentor, and patriot,” while former Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen, praised his humility, saying: “He understood the vanity of life… He came into the world empty-handed and left the same way.”
Rotimi Amaechi, former Minister of Transportation, said: “It’s a personal loss. He was a disciplined, principled leader who made lasting contributions to Nigerian democracy.”
Former spokesperson Femi Adesina emphasized Buhari’s legacy of merit-based appointments and deep commitment to Nigeria’s unity. “He was a father figure to many, including those outside his tribe or religion,” he noted.
A Humble Legacy
The crowd at the PMB Helicopter Ground in Daura reflected the late president’s wide-reaching influence, drawing mourners from every walk of life. The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency reported over 130 aircraft landings and departures in Katsina within 48 hours, underscoring the gravity of the occasion.
A weeklong national mourning and condolence visits will continue, as Buhari’s legacy is remembered — not just for his leadership, but for his austere, principled, and disciplined lifestyle.
