THE recent demise of Nigeria’s former President Muhammadu Buhari has opened a floodgate of reflections across the country. In a survey conducted on the life and time of the former prseident, Nigerians were asked to list five things—good or bad—that they would most remember Buhari for. The responses, deeply personal and often emotionally charged, reveal a legacy of controversy. But now that the man has been led to rest in Daura, Katsina State, any lessons for Nigerians from his life style and leadership?
As stated above, across a diverse cross-section of the populace, the tone ranged from outright anger to grudging acknowledgement of a few policy wins. Perhaps the most scathing of the voices was Femi Olufemi, who likened the former president’s methods to authoritarianism cloaked in constitutional garb. “Like a thief in the night, he descended and abducted Sunday Igboho and Nnamdi Kanu,” Olufemi asserted, highlighting what many have termed Buhari’s “selective justice.” He did not hold back in recalling the tragedies under Buhari’s watch: “He ordered soldiers of the HQ Nigerian Army to open fire on peaceful #EndSARS protesters waving the Nigerian flag… He destroyed the economy by printing naira excessively.”
In a more scholarly tone, Professor Babatunji Oyinloye lamented policy choices that he believed had long-term damaging effects. “The suspension of international transactions on naira debit cards caused significant hardship for many postgraduate students studying abroad,” he noted, a sentiment echoed by the Nigerian diaspora. Oyinloye, who’s a pastor in one of the fastest growing churches across the globe, further described Buhari’s controversial border closure policy as “ineffective,” warning that it only served to “increase smuggling activities and a surge in banditry.”
For Oluwadare Ogundana, a civil servant, Buhari’s administration was a paradox of high promises and poor delivery. “He became a leader through propagandas but silenced all opposition thereafter,” he said, arguing that the president’s famed personal integrity was “marred by his associates’ and ministers’ corruption.” Yet, Ogundana admitted that some infrastructural progress was made, referencing “construction of rail lines” while quickly tempering it with mention of the “exponential increase of bandits” and the “making of jokes out of national trivial issues.”
The economic legacies, especially relating to food security and inflation, were also spotlighted by Mrs Seun Ajanaku, another civil servant, who noted that “rice palaver took rice from ₦8,000 to ₦35,000.” He credited Buhari’s administration with efforts in “economic diversification and agricultural revival,” but not without pointing to the unintended consequence of nationalising cattle. “Fulani herdsmen—cows became national treasure,” he quipped wryly.
On a more balanced note, Toba Ajiboye, another civil servant resident in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, acknowledged both Buhari’s administrative missteps and infrastructural contributions. He criticised Buhari’s “refusal to appoint helping hands as ministers in the first six months in office” and the reappointment of embattled former CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele, whom he described as “the worst of such in history on corruption index.” However, he credited the late president for key projects like the “construction of the 2nd Niger Bridge” and the “addition of Zungeru 700MW to the national grid.”
Others were less charitable. David Olu, a broadcaster, pointed to what he perceived as ethnic favouritism and administrative lethargy. “His leadership style favoured his kinsmen in sensitive positions,” he said, adding that “his long medical absence slowed things down.” Still, David, however, acknowledged Buhari’s handling of the fuel subsidy crisis and generously rated his administration “40%.”
For Suleyman Olaide Sadik, Buhari’s presidency represented a dark chapter in Nigeria’s democratic journey. “He led Nigeria in political darkness,” Sadik remarked. “He called Nigerian youths lazy, led the country to economic extinction, and (allegedly) ran for office with forged educational qualifications.” Most controversially, Sadik alleged that Buhari was “the brain behind the dreaded Boko Haram sect, ISWAP, Banditry and others,” a claim that reflects a deep-seated mistrust harboured by many in the North-East and beyond.
The survey reveals more than a litany of grievances; it speaks to a nation still healing from the shocks of unmet expectations and national tragedies. Buhari’s legacy, in the words of those surveyed, is not merely political—it is deeply personal. From the cost of rice to the blood spilled during protests, from currency redesign to the slow decay of public institutions, Nigerians carry vivid memories that will shape how history judges the late president.
As Professor Oyinloye put it, “Policy must be human-centred, not regime-serving. That’s the lesson from Buhari.” In the end, perhaps what Nigerians are demanding most is not perfection, but leadership that listens, heals, and unites. Whether Buhari succeeded or failed at that is now left for history to decide, the question for Nigerians is whether we have learned any lesson.
…Life And Times Of Late Former President
By Henry Ojelu
Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria’s former military Head of State turned civilian President, stands as one of the most influential and polarizing figures in the country’s political history.
Known for his austere personal lifestyle, anti-corruption crusade, and strongman image, Buhari’s leadership spans pivotal moments in Nigeria’s post-independence development.
His legacy is marked by both unwavering support and fierce criticism, with impacts that continue to shape the political landscape of Africa’s most populous nation.
Early Life and Military Career
Muhammadu Buhari was born on December 17, 1942, in Daura, Katsina State, into a Fulani family. The 23rd child of his father, he lost his father at a young age and was raised by his mother. He attended Katsina Provincial Secondary School (now Government College, Katsina) and later joined the Nigerian Military Training College in 1962. Buhari furthered his training at Mons Officer Cadet School in the United Kingdom and the United States Army War College.
Rising through the ranks during the post-independence military era, Buhari served in various capacities, including as Military Governor of the now-defunct North-Eastern State in 1975, and later as Federal Commissioner (Minister) for Petroleum and Natural Resources under General Olusegun Obasanjo’s regime.
Military Head of State (1983–1985)
On December 31, 1983, Buhari seized power through a military coup that ousted the democratically elected President Shehu Shagari, citing widespread corruption and economic mismanagement. His military government launched a crusade against indiscipline, encapsulated in the controversial “War Against Indiscipline” (WAI) programme. He introduced policies to curb corruption, promote national ethics, and instill social order.
However, Buhari’s regime was also widely criticized for human rights abuses, including the detention of politicians without trial, press censorship, and the infamous Decree No. 4, which criminalized reporting deemed embarrassing to the government. Despite his hard stance on corruption, the regime’s economic policies—such as strict import controls—triggered hardship and shortages. His administration was eventually overthrown in August 1985 by General Ibrahim Babangida.
Post-Military Years and Political Rebirth
Following his ouster, Buhari faded from public life for a time, reemerging in the late 1990s as a public advocate for discipline and accountability. He served briefly as Chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) under General Sani Abacha, overseeing projects funded from excess oil revenues.
Buhari entered democratic politics in 2003, contesting for president under the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) but losing to President Olusegun Obasanjo. He remained a perennial candidate, contesting again in 2007 and 2011, both times unsuccessfully, amid allegations of electoral malpractice. In 2013, Buhari co-founded the All Progressives Congress (APC), a coalition of opposition parties formed to challenge the dominance of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Democratic Presidency (2015–2023)
After years of opposition activism and widespread dissatisfaction with President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, Buhari won the 2015 election—becoming the first Nigerian to defeat an incumbent president through the ballot box. He was re-elected in 2019.
His presidency began with great optimism. Buhari promised to fight corruption, crush Boko Haram insurgents, and revive Nigeria’s faltering economy. However, his tenure was met with mixed results.
Security: Buhari’s early gains against Boko Haram in the northeast were overshadowed by a worsening security landscape marked by banditry in the northwest, farmer-herder clashes in the middle belt, and separatist agitations in the southeast. Despite increased military spending and restructuring, insecurity remained one of the most pressing issues during his presidency.
Economy: Buhari’s government faced two recessions (2016 and 2020), largely driven by falling oil prices and the COVID-19 pandemic. Though he promoted agricultural self-sufficiency and infrastructural development—especially in roads, rail, and power—his economic management was criticized for failing to stimulate growth, reduce unemployment, or curb inflation. Nigeria under Buhari became the world’s poverty capital by 2018, with over 90 million living below the poverty line.
