Who Was Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria’s Two-Time Head Of State?

Muhammadu Buhari was born in December 1942 in Daura in Katsina state in the far north of Nigeria, near the border with Niger. At the time, Nigeria was controlled by the British and it would be another 18 years before the country gained independence.

His early life was marked by significant influences that shaped his future. Born to a Fulani father and a Kanuri mother, Buhari’s father passed away when he was just four years old, leaving his mother to raise him. In a 2012 interview, Buhari shared that he was his father’s 23rd child and his mother’s 13th, with his only memory of his father being a vivid recollection of a horseback incident involving himself, his father, and a half-brother.

Buhari’s educational journey began at primary school in Daura, followed by boarding school in Katsina. His disciplined nature was largely shaped during his time at boarding school, where corporal punishment was common, and later reinforced during his military training. Buhari attended the Nigerian Military Training College and later underwent officer training in the UK from 1962 to 1963.

His military career progressed steadily, with notable roles including military governor of the North-East region and federal commissioner for petroleum and natural resources under General Olusegun Obasanjo’s military government in the late 1970s. Despite being a junior officer during the 1966 military coup and counter-coup, Buhari’s career advancement was rapid, reflecting his dedication and leadership abilities.

Buhari’s Legacy On Indiscipline And Corruption

By 1978, Buhari, then a colonel, had returned to being a military commander. His tough stance in 1983 – when some Nigerian islands were annexed in Lake Chad by Chadian soldiers – is still remembered in the north-east, after he blockaded the area and drove off the invaders.

The end of 1983 saw another coup, against elected President Shehu Shagari, and Buhari, now a major-general, became the country’s military ruler. By his own account, he was not one of the plotters but was installed (and subsequently discarded) by those who held the real power and needed a figurehead.

Other accounts suggest he played a more active role in removing Shagari than he was willing to admit.

Buhari ruled for 20 months, a period remembered for a campaign against indiscipline and corruption, as well as for human rights abuses.

About 500 politicians, officials and businessmen were jailed as part of a campaign against waste and corruption.

Some saw this as the heavy-handed repression of military rule. Others remember it as a praiseworthy attempt to fight the endemic corruption that was holding back Nigeria’s development.

Buhari retained a rare reputation for honesty among Nigeria’s politicians, both military and civilian, largely because of this campaign.

As part of his “war against indiscipline”, he ordered Nigerians to form neat queues at bus stops, under the sharp eyes of whip-wielding soldiers. Civil servants who were late for work were publicly humiliated by being forced to do frog jumps.

Some of his measures might have been seen as merely eccentric. But others were genuinely repressive, such as a decree to restrict press freedom, under which journalists were jailed.

Buhari’s government also locked up Nigeria’s greatest musical hero, Fela Kuti – a thorn in the side of successive leaders – on trumped-up charges relating to currency exports.

Buhari’s attempts to re-balance the public finances by curbing imports led to many job losses and the closure of businesses.

As part of anti-corruption measures, he also ordered that the currency be replaced – the colour of the naira notes was changed – forcing all holders of old notes to exchange them at banks within a limited period.

Prices rose while living standards fell, and in August 1985 Buhari was ousted and imprisoned for 40 months. Army chief Gen Ibrahim Babangida took over.

His Historic Election Victory

After his release and, he said, having seen the consequences of the break-up of the Soviet Union, Buhari decided to enter party politics, now convinced of the virtues of multiparty democracy and free and fair elections.

Despite this, Buhari always defended the 1983 coup, saying in 2005: “The military came in when it was absolutely necessary and the elected people had failed the country.”

He also rejected accusations that his measures against journalists and others had gone too far, insisting that he had been merely applying the laws that others had been breaking.

Buhari’s wife, Aisha, joined the criticism of her husband’s administration

He was elected president in 2015, becoming the first opposition candidate to defeat an incumbent since the return of multiparty democracy in 1999.

As president, Buhari made a virtue of his “incorruptibility”, declaring his relatively modest wealth and saying he had “spurned several past opportunities” to enrich himself.

He was plain spoken by nature, which sometimes played well for him in the media and sometimes badly.

Although few doubted his personal commitment to fighting corruption and there were several notable scalps, some questioned whether the structures enabling mismanagement had really been reformed.

And attempts to improve youth employment prospects were, at best, a work in progress.

Nigerians vividly recall the Buhari administration’s impact on their daily lives, particularly the soaring cost of rice, a staple food.

A 50kg bag of rice, which cost around ₦7,500 under President Goodluck Jonathan, skyrocketed to ₦60,000 under Buhari’s rule. This drastic price hike was attributed to Buhari’s policy of banning rice imports to promote local production. However, local farmers couldn’t meet the demand, leading to widespread hunger and discontent.

Many Nigerians, felt the pinch. Even Buhari’s wife reportedly threatened to withdraw her support due to the economic hardship. Despite the backlash, Buhari remained unapologetic about his policies, including those implemented during his military rule.

The “bag of rice” has become a symbol of the economic challenges faced by Nigerians during Buhari’s presidency, with many still recalling the struggle to afford basic necessities.

Buhari’s Notable Moments

‘Baba go slow’

Muhammadu Buhari’s presidency was marked by several notable events and controversies. One of the earliest criticisms he faced was for the slow pace of his administration, earning him the nickname “Baba go slow.” Buhari attributed the delay to the system’s inefficiencies rather than his own leadership.

In the lead-up to the 2023 elections, Buhari’s stance on succession sparked intense speculation. Despite publicly endorsing the APC’s nominee, insiders suggested he was ambivalent about the outcome. This perceived neutrality emboldened multiple candidates, including Bola Tinubu, who ultimately won the party’s nomination.

The introduction of the naira swap policy was a highly contentious move, with many believing it was designed to limit Tinubu’s chances. The policy led to widespread shortages and economic hardship, particularly among the poor. The Supreme Court eventually intervened, suspending the policy just before the election.

Tinubu won the presidency with 37% of the votes, amid a divided opposition. Buhari’s health issues were a significant concern during his presidency, with prolonged absences from work raising questions about his fitness for office. Transparency about his health was lacking, leaving Nigerians uncertain about their leader’s well-being.

In his personal life, Buhari married twice and had 10 children. His legacy is complex, marked by both significant policy decisions and controversy.