The Federal Government (FG) has declared Tuesday, July 15, a public holiday to honour the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, who died Sunday at age 82 in a London hospital.
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Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo announced the declaration Monday evening following approval from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The public holiday forms part of the seven-day national mourning period previously announced by the president to commemorate Buhari’s life and legacy.
The minister described the public holiday as recognition of Buhari’s “service to the nation, his contributions to Nigeria’s democratic journey, and his enduring legacy in governance and national development.”
“President Muhammadu Buhari served Nigeria with dedication, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to the unity and progress of our great nation,” Tunji-Ojo stated. “This public holiday provides an opportunity for all Nigerians to reflect on his life, leadership, and the values he upheld.”
The minister urged citizens to use the day to promote peace, patriotism, and national unity, describing these as ideals championed by the late president during his public service career.
As part of the mourning period, national flags across Nigeria and at Nigerian missions abroad have been ordered to fly at half-mast from Sunday, July 13, through Saturday, July 19.
The government extended condolences to the Buhari family, the people of Katsina State, and all Nigerians, offering prayers for the repose of the late president’s soul.
Buhari served as Nigeria’s military Head of State from December 1983 to August 1985 and later as a two-term civilian president from May 2015 to May 2023. He died in a London hospital where he had been receiving medical care.
The specific nature of his final illness remains unclear, though reports indicate he had traveled to London in April for what was described as a routine medical check-up. Throughout his presidency, Buhari’s frequent medical trips to London attracted widespread criticism and renewed discussions about Nigeria’s healthcare system.
Between 2016 and 2018 during his first presidential term, Buhari spent extended periods in London for undisclosed medical treatment, generating speculation about his health and governing capacity.
The former president is scheduled to be buried Tuesday in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State, coinciding with the declared public holiday.
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