Former Nigerian leader Muhammadu Buhari passed away at age 82 inside a London medical facility. The ex-president had traveled to Britain during April for routine health checks before becoming seriously ill. His family confirmed the death of the military ruler turned democratic politician who served two presidential terms. Buhari had built a reputation as one of Africa's most recognizable political figures across decades of public service. The northern Nigerian politician left behind wife Aisha and ten children from his two marriages.
Buhari made history during 2015 by becoming the first opposition candidate to defeat a sitting president since democracy returned to Nigeria. His military background and tough disciplinarian image attracted millions of voters who wanted change from corruption and insurgency. The former army officer had attempted three previous presidential campaigns before finally winning power at his fourth try. His administration faced massive economic challenges when global oil prices collapsed during his early presidency. Security problems including Boko Haram terrorism and farmer-herder conflicts plagued his government throughout both terms.
Nigerian citizens remembered Buhari mostly for skyrocketing rice prices that made basic food unaffordable for ordinary families. A standard rice bag jumped from 7,500 naira under his predecessor to 60,000 naira during his presidency. Citizens nicknamed him Baba go slow after he took six months to appoint his first cabinet members. His import ban policies aimed at boosting local agriculture instead created widespread hunger across the country. Buhari always defended his tough measures as necessary steps to fight the corruption that had damaged Nigeria for generations.
Buhari made history during 2015 by becoming the first opposition candidate to defeat a sitting president since democracy returned to Nigeria. His military background and tough disciplinarian image attracted millions of voters who wanted change from corruption and insurgency. The former army officer had attempted three previous presidential campaigns before finally winning power at his fourth try. His administration faced massive economic challenges when global oil prices collapsed during his early presidency. Security problems including Boko Haram terrorism and farmer-herder conflicts plagued his government throughout both terms.
Nigerian citizens remembered Buhari mostly for skyrocketing rice prices that made basic food unaffordable for ordinary families. A standard rice bag jumped from 7,500 naira under his predecessor to 60,000 naira during his presidency. Citizens nicknamed him Baba go slow after he took six months to appoint his first cabinet members. His import ban policies aimed at boosting local agriculture instead created widespread hunger across the country. Buhari always defended his tough measures as necessary steps to fight the corruption that had damaged Nigeria for generations.
