Vice President Kashim Shettima has paid a solemn visit to the family of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari in London, extending the condolences of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Nigerian government.
The visit, which took place shortly after Shettima arrived in the United Kingdom on Monday, was detailed in a statement released by Stanley Nkwocha, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President).
The Vice President was received by the widow of the late president, Mrs. Aishat Buhari, with whom he spent time in private reflection. He also visited Mamman Daura, the former president’s influential nephew, who is currently receiving medical care in a London hospital.
Nkwocha explained that the condolence gestures came while the Vice President awaited the completion of necessary formalities required to begin the process of transporting Buhari’s remains back to Nigeria for burial. Shettima is leading a delegation assigned by President Tinubu to oversee the repatriation and funeral arrangements.
Among those accompanying the Vice President are the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar; and the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia. Their arrival underscores the significance of the moment, reflecting the deep national reverence for the late leader.
During the visit, Shettima also made time to check on another former Nigerian leader, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (Retd.), who is currently in London recovering after a recent hospital discharge. His visit to the former head of state added a further layer of gravity to the journey, highlighting the country’s concern for its elder statesmen.
Buhari, who served as Nigeria’s democratically elected president from 2015 to 2023 and earlier as military head of state from 1984 to 1985, passed away on Sunday, July 13, at approximately 4:30 p.m. in a London hospital. He was 82 years old and had battled long-standing health challenges that previously saw him undergo extensive medical treatment in the UK.
Governor Dikko Umaru Radda of Katsina State formally announced the funeral plans during a media briefing in Katsina on Monday. After consulting with members of Buhari’s family and close associates in London, the governor confirmed that the late president’s body is scheduled to arrive in Katsina by noon on Tuesday, July 15. The burial will take place at 2:00 p.m. in Daura, Buhari’s ancestral hometown.
Meanwhile, in London, Channels Television’s UK Correspondent, Juliana Olayinka, reported that official procedures were ongoing at the hospital to prepare for the release and transportation of the remains. These include hospital documentation, legal clearances, and diplomatic coordination with Nigerian and British authorities.
Back in Nigeria, Buhari’s residence in Daura has become a center of mourning as a steady flow of sympathizers arrive to express their grief. Neighbours, relatives, long-time political allies, and ordinary citizens have come together in shared sorrow, creating a reflective and reverent atmosphere.
Although the Daura Emirate Council and surrounding areas have been placed under tight security, especially as preparations for the high-profile funeral intensify, normal commercial activity continues along nearby roads. Vendors and passersby conduct their business in quiet respect, aware of the gravity of the loss but determined to maintain a sense of community normalcy.
Tributes have continued to pour in from leaders and ordinary citizens alike. Many have described Buhari as a man defined by integrity, restraint, and an unyielding commitment to national unity and development. His simple lifestyle and anti-corruption stance earned him admiration across political divides and regions, especially in northern Nigeria, where he remained a political titan throughout his career.
Born in the historic town of Daura in Katsina State, Buhari’s life journey took him from military barracks to the pinnacle of political power. His tenure as both a military and democratic leader has etched his name in the country’s history, and his passing marks the end of an era that spanned decades of service to the Nigerian nation.
What you should know
Vice President Shettima’s condolence visit to the late President Muhammadu Buhari’s family in London is part of Nigeria’s broader efforts to ensure a dignified and coordinated repatriation of the former leader’s remains.
Buhari, who died after a prolonged illness at 82, will be buried in his hometown of Daura on July 15, 2025, with top government officials overseeing funeral arrangements.
