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Muhammadu Buhari’s life mirrored Nigeria’s dramatic political evolution over the past half-century, with him frequently at the epicenter of key events.
The former Nigerian president, who passed away on Sunday at 82, rose to become the nation’s military leader following a coup, was later imprisoned by a subsequent junta, and then, decades later, reinvented himself to secure the presidency through democratic elections.
Often seen in dark glasses or thick, black-framed spectacles, a traditional zanna cap, and a broad smile, much of Buhari’s life unfolded in the public eye.
Buhari – pictured here in 1977 with the then-King of Sweden Carl XVI Gustaf and Saudi Arabia’s Sheikh Ahmed Zaki Yamani – embarked on his military career immediately after completing his education.
By the time this photograph was taken, Buhari had advanced to the position of a regional military commander.
In 1983, a few years later, the elected government of President Shehu Shagari was overthrown by the military.
Although Buhari assumed the role of military leader, he denied orchestrating the coup, claiming he was merely appointed by senior commanders seeking a figurehead. Other accounts suggest Buhari played a more active role in the takeover.
After two years of authoritarian rule, marked by a campaign against corruption and numerous human rights violations, Buhari was himself overthrown. The new junta placed him under house arrest for three years.
In 2003, after decades away from the political arena, Buhari decided to make another attempt at leading the country.
This time, he contested for the highest office through a democratic election, running under the banner of the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP).
Here he is pictured on the right, alongside his running mate Chuba Okadigbo on the left and ANPP chairman Don Etiebet.
Buhari was defeated by Olusegun Obasanjo in 2003, and he made two further unsuccessful bids for the presidency in 2007 and 2011.
Despite these unsuccessful attempts, he gained a following, particularly among disaffected youth, with his promises to combat corruption and insecurity.
Buhari enjoyed considerable support in Nigeria’s north, his region of birth.
Here, a sign displayed in the city of Kaduna during the 2015 election indicates that locals would only vote for “Baba” Buhari.
Buhari was eventually elected in 2015, defeating incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan.
He made history by becoming the first opposition candidate to win a general election.
The historic moment when Jonathan conceded to Buhari was captured on camera.
However, after finally assuming office, Buhari’s first term was challenging. The economy experienced its first recession in a decade, and security crises mounted.
When Buhari’s wife – pictured below – publicly criticized his administration, the president provoked outrage by suggesting she belonged in the kitchen.
Despite the difficulties of his first term, Buhari secured re-election in 2019.
As the president of one of Africa’s largest economies, he travelled extensively, attending high-level summits and engaging with fellow heads of state.
Buhari was received by Queen Elizabeth at a Commonwealth leaders’ meeting in 2015.
Earlier in 2015, he was welcomed to the White House by then-US President Barack Obama.
And in 2018, Buhari was the first leader from sub-Saharan Africa to meet President Donald Trump in Washington.
Following his death in a London clinic, Buhari is being remembered by some as a leader who failed to deliver on his campaign promises and suppressed dissent.
Others view him as a champion of order who did his best in the face of a dysfunctional political system.
In a tribute to his former rival, Jonathan described Buhari as “selfless in his commitment to duty and served the country with character and a deep sense of patriotism.”
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