Muhammadu Buhari, was born on December 17, 1942, in Daura, Katsina State, and he remains one of the most defining figures in Nigeria’s post-independence political history. A former military Head of State and two-term civilian President, Buhari’s journey from a disciplined army officer to an enduring national figure reflects the complexities, aspirations, and contradictions of the Nigerian state.

Austere, disciplined, and often polarizing, Buhari’s leadership style earned him both admiration and criticism. He symbolized, for many, a return to order and anti-corruption discipline. For others, he represented authoritarian tendencies cloaked in populist rhetoric. Yet, beyond the politics, Muhammadu Buhari’s life is a portrait of resilience, conviction, and a unique place in Nigeria’s democratic evolution.

Muhammadu Buhari was born into a Fulani family of modest means. He was the 23rd child of his father, Adamu Buhari, and lost his father at a young age. Despite this, he pursued education vigorously, attending Katsina Middle School and later Katsina Provincial Secondary School (now Government College Katsina).

His entry into the Nigerian Military Training College (NMTC) in 1962 marked the beginning of a lifelong association with the Nigerian Army. He later trained at the Mons Officer Cadet School in Aldershot, UK, and continued his military education in India and the United States.

Buhari’s military rise was steady and marked by distinction. He served in various capacities, including battalion commander during the Nigerian Civil War. His discipline and no-nonsense approach earned him respect among peers and superiors.
By 1983, Nigeria’s Second Republic under President Shehu Shagari had become riddled with economic mismanagement and widespread corruption. On December 31, 1983, Buhari, then a Major-General, led a military coup that overthrew the Shagari administration.

As Head of State from 1983 to 1985, Buhari launched a campaign to restore discipline and accountability, introducing his now-famous “War Against Indiscipline” (WAI). Public queueing, sanitation, punctuality, and anti-corruption measures were strictly enforced. His regime jailed politicians suspected of corruption, introduced price control measures, and curbed unnecessary imports to stabilize the ailing economy.

However, his government was also accused of high-handedness, human rights abuses, and media suppression. Decrees were passed that curtailed press freedom, and retroactive laws were used to convict individuals. In August 1985, he was overthrown in a bloodless coup led by General Ibrahim Babangida.

After his ousting, Buhari largely withdrew from public life. For many years, he remained silent, declining to participate in the transitional politics of the late 1980s and early 1990s. He served briefly as Chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) under General Sani Abacha’s military regime in the mid-1990s, where he was praised for his prudent management and infrastructural projects.

His strong opposition to corruption and belief in Nigeria’s unity never waned, and by the early 2000s, Buhari re-emerged — not as a military man but as a democrat.

Buhari contested the presidency in 2003 under the platform of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) but lost to incumbent President Olusegun Obasanjo. He ran again in 2007 and 2011, each time claiming electoral malpractice. Despite repeated defeats, Buhari gained a loyal following, especially in northern Nigeria, where he was seen as an honest and incorruptible leader.

In 2013, the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC), a merger of opposition parties, provided a stronger platform. Buhari won the 2015 general elections, defeating incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan — marking the first time in Nigerian history that an opposition candidate defeated a sitting president through democratic process.
Buhari’s first term was dominated by three priorities: anti-corruption, security, and economic reform. He launched high-profile investigations, recovered looted funds, and empowered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). However, critics argued that his anti-corruption campaign was selective and politically motivated.

Security-wise, Buhari inherited a country struggling with the Boko Haram insurgency. He reorganized the military command and launched aggressive operations, pushing Boko Haram out of many territories. Nonetheless, insecurity persisted in other forms — especially with increased banditry and herder-farmer conflicts.

The economy faced significant headwinds during his first term, including a global crash in oil prices and a recession in 2016. Buhari’s response included diversification efforts through agriculture and infrastructure investment. His administration promoted programs such as the Anchor Borrowers Programme and massive road and rail projects.

Re-elected in 2019, Buhari’s second term saw both progress and setbacks. Infrastructure remained a priority: the Second Niger Bridge, Lagos-Ibadan railway, and other legacy projects neared completion. However, public frustration grew over rising inflation, unemployment, and persistent insecurity.

Insecurity remained Buhari’s Achilles’ heel, with widespread kidnappings, terrorist attacks, and the rise of criminal gangs. Although the government made some strides, such as the defeat of ISWAP leaders and arms procurement deals, citizens grew weary of slow responses.

On the political front, Buhari signed the Petroleum Industry Act in 2021 — a major milestone after decades of delays. He also oversaw electoral reform through the amended Electoral Act in 2022, which paved the way for greater transparency in elections.
Buhari’s leadership style was characterized by austere discipline, integrity, and a low tolerance for corruption, but also by slowness in decision-making, limited communication, and a perceived aloofness from citizen concerns. Supporters hailed him as a man of rare honesty in Nigerian politics. Detractors labeled him detached, ethnically biased, and resistant to inclusive governance.

He was known for his spartan lifestyle and minimalist approach to leadership — a rare trait in Nigeria’s often flamboyant political class. His health, however, became a major concern during his presidency, with several medical trips abroad, sparking criticism over transparency and capacity.

Buhari handed over power on May 29, 2023, to his party’s candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, after completing two terms. In his farewell address, he acknowledged the challenges his administration faced but affirmed his pride in contributing to Nigeria’s democratic development.