Muhammadu Buhari facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
His Excellency
Major General Muhammadu Buhari
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Official portrait, 2015
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| 7th and 15th President of Nigeria | |
| In office 29 May 2015 – 29 May 2023 |
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| Vice President | Yemi Osinbajo |
| Preceded by | Goodluck Jonathan |
| Succeeded by | Bola Tinubu |
| In office 31 December 1983 – 27 August 1985 as Military Head of State of Nigeria |
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| Chief of Staff | Tunde Idiagbon |
| Preceded by | Shehu Shagari |
| Succeeded by | Ibrahim Babangida |
| Federal Minister of Petroleum Resources | |
| In office 11 November 2015 – 29 May 2023 |
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| President | Himself |
| Minister of State | Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu Timipre Sylva |
| Preceded by | Diezani Allison-Madueke |
| Succeeded by | Bola Tinubu |
| In office March 1976 – June 1978 as Federal Commissioner of Petroleum and Natural Resources |
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| Head of State | Olusegun Obasanjo |
| Governor of Borno State | |
| In office 3 February 1976 – 15 March 1976 |
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| Head of State | Murtala Mohammed Olusegun Obasanjo |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Mustapha Amin |
| In office 1 August 1975 – 3 February 1976 as Governor of the North-Eastern State |
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| Head of State | Murtala Mohammed |
| Preceded by | Musa Usman |
| Succeeded by | Office abolished |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 17 December 1942 Daura, Northern Region, British Nigeria (now in Katsina, Nigeria) |
| Political party | All Progressives Congress (2013–present) |
| Other political affiliations |
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| Spouses |
Safinatu Yusuf
(m. 1971; div. 1988)Aisha Halilu
(m. 1989) |
| Relations |
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| Children |
10
Zulaihat (deceased)
Fatima Musa (deceased) Hadiza Safinatu Halima Yusuf Zahra "Zarah" Aisha Amina |
| Alma mater |
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| Occupation |
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| Awards | List of honors and awards |
| Nickname | Bubu |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Nigeria |
| Branch/service |  Nigerian Army |
| Years of service | 1962–1985 |
| Rank |  Major general |
| Battles/wars | Nigerian Civil War Chadian–Nigerian War |
Muhammadu Buhari (born 17 December 1942) is a Nigerian politician and a retired Nigerian army major general. He served as the president of Nigeria from 2015 to 2023. Before that, he was the military head of state from 1983 to 1985. He took power after a military takeover.
Buhari tried to become president several times. He ran in 2003 and 2007 for the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP). In 2011, he ran for the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC). In 2014, he became the candidate for the All Progressives Congress party. He won the 2015 election, defeating the sitting president, Goodluck Jonathan. This was a big moment in Nigeria's history. He was sworn in on 29 May 2015. In 2019, he was re-elected for a second term.
Contents
- Early Life and Education
- Military Career
- Head of State (1983–1985)
- Life Before Presidency (1985–2015)
- Presidency (2015–2023)
- Post-Presidency (2023–Present)
- Personal Life
- Honours
- See also
Early Life and Education
Muhammadu Buhari was born on 17 December 1942, in Daura, Katsina State, Nigeria. His family was Fulani. His father was Mallam Hardo Adamu, a Fulani chief. His mother, Zulaihat, had Hausa and Kanuri family roots. He was the twenty-third child of his father.
Buhari's father died when he was about four years old. He attended Qur'anic school and helped with cattle. At first, he didn't like school much. But his guardian and nephew encouraged him to study.
He went to primary school in Daura and Mai'Adua, finishing in 1953. He then attended Katsina Middle School and Katsina Provincial Secondary School from 1956 to 1961. He earned his West African School Certificate. He was a house captain and head boy in school.
After secondary school, Buhari thought about becoming a doctor. But he decided to join the military instead. He was inspired by Hassan Katsina, a military officer who took students on outdoor trips.
Military Career
In 1962, at age 19, Buhari was chosen for officer training. He went to the Nigerian Military Training College (NMTC). In 1964, this college became the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA).
From 1962 to 1963, Buhari trained at Mons Officer Cadet School in England. In January 1963, at 20, he became a second lieutenant. He was a Platoon Commander in Abeokuta, Nigeria. He continued his military training in Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
From 1965 to 1967, Buhari was a commander. He became a brigade major in 1967. After a military takeover in 1966, Lieutenant Buhari helped in another takeover. This one removed General Aguiyi Ironsi and brought General Yakubu Gowon to power.
Nigerian Civil War Service
Buhari was part of the 1st Division during the Nigerian Civil War. His unit helped capture Ogoja. He also served in other important areas like Nsukka and Awka. His group faced many challenges protecting food supply routes.
After the War: Key Roles
After the war, Buhari held several important positions. From 1970 to 1972, he was a Brigade Major and Assistant Adjutant-General. He also studied at the Defence Services Staff College in India in 1973.
In 1975, Lieutenant Colonel Buhari helped bring General Murtala Mohammed to power in a military takeover. He was then made Governor of the North-Eastern State. This role involved improving social and economic conditions. In 1976, this state was divided, and Buhari became the first Governor of Borno State.
In March 1976, General Olusegun Obasanjo became the military head of state. He appointed Colonel Buhari as the Federal Commissioner for Petroleum and Natural Resources. This role is now called a minister. In 1977, Buhari became chairman of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation. He held this position until 1978.
During his time as Petroleum Commissioner, the government built many oil pipelines and storage areas. They also planned new oil refineries. From 1978 to 1979, he was a Military Secretary. He was also a member of the Supreme Military Council. In 1979, he attended the US Army War College in the United States. He earned a master's degree in Strategic Studies.
1983 Military Takeover
Major-General Buhari was a leader in the military takeover of December 1983. This event removed Nigeria's civilian government. At that time, Buhari was in charge of the Third Armoured Division in Jos. The military leaders said the civilian government was corrupt and the economy was struggling. Buhari suspended the country's constitution.
Head of State (1983–1985)
As Head of State, Buhari aimed to fix Nigeria's economy and fight corruption. He set up a Supreme Military Council and other councils. His government reduced the number of ministries. They also removed some senior civil servants and police officers.
Buhari's government introduced new laws. These laws aimed to prosecute armed robbery and detain people who threatened state security. They also allowed investigations into public officials linked to corruption. Strikes and public protests were banned.
His government jailed about 500 politicians and businessmen for corruption. Some were released after returning money to the government. Critics were also jailed, including musician Fela Kuti. He was arrested in 1984 but released after 18 months.
In 1984, Buhari passed a law called the Protection Against False Accusations Decree. This law made it an offense to publish false information about the government or public officers. Journalists found guilty could face fines and jail time.
Economic Changes
Buhari worked to improve Nigeria's economy. He wanted to reduce government spending and fight corruption. He also encouraged local production instead of relying on imports. However, limiting imports sometimes meant industries couldn't get enough raw materials.
He decided not to take a loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The IMF wanted Nigeria to devalue its currency, the naira, by a lot. Buhari's own economic reforms were very strict.
In 1984, he announced the national budget. It included stopping new hiring in the public sector and raising interest rates. The goal was to cut imports and reduce the country's debt. His policies gave priority to importing raw materials for farming and industry.
War Against Indiscipline
One of Buhari's most famous programs was the War Against Indiscipline (WAI). It started on 20 March 1984. This program aimed to improve public behavior and civic responsibility in Nigeria. For example, people were told to form neat queues at bus stops. Civil servants who were late for work faced humiliation. The program aimed to make Nigerians more disciplined.
In 1985, Buhari's government opened the borders that had been closed since 1984. This was to help expel foreign workers who were in Nigeria illegally. His rule faced criticism from some people, including Nobel Prize winner Wole Soyinka.
Before the 2015 election, Buhari said that if elected, he would follow the rule of law. He promised that all Nigerians would have access to justice and their human rights would be respected.
1985 Military Takeover
In August 1985, Major General Buhari was removed from power. This happened in a military takeover led by General Ibrahim Babangida. Buhari was then held in Benin City until 1988.
Life Before Presidency (1985–2015)
Detention and Civilian Life
Buhari was detained for three years in a bungalow in Benin City. He had access to television and family visits. In December 1988, he was released after his mother's death. He then retired to his home in Daura.
He divorced his first wife in 1988 and married Aisha Halilu. In Katsina, he became the first chairman of the Katsina Foundation. This foundation aimed to help social and economic development in Katsina State.
Buhari also served as Chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF). This fund was created to use money from increased petroleum prices for development projects across the country. A 1998 report praised the PTF under Buhari for being transparent and successful.
Presidential Campaigns
2003 Presidential Election In 2003, Buhari ran for president as the candidate for the All Nigeria People's Party (ANPP). He lost to the sitting president, Olusegun Obasanjo.
2007 Presidential Election On 18 December 2006, Buhari was chosen as the ANPP's candidate again. He ran against Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, who was from the same home state. Buhari lost this election too and rejected the results.
2011 Presidential Election In March 2010, Buhari left the ANPP and helped create the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC). He became the CPC's presidential candidate in the 2011 election. He ran against President Goodluck Jonathan. Buhari campaigned on fighting corruption. He also supported the use of Sharia law in northern Nigerian states.
The elections had some violence, which led to many deaths. Buhari claimed the vote was unfair. He warned about what might happen if the 2011 events repeated in 2015. He came in second place in this election.
2015 Presidential Election
Buhari ran in the 2015 presidential election for the All Progressives Congress party. His campaign focused on his image as an honest leader who would fight corruption. He said he would not investigate past corrupt leaders if they repented.
Before the election, some people tried to disqualify Buhari. They said he didn't have the required school certificate. Buhari said he lost his original diplomas after he was overthrown in 1985.
In May 2014, after the Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping, Buhari strongly spoke out against the Boko Haram group. He asked Nigerians to unite against the insurgency. In July 2014, Buhari survived a bomb attack by Boko Haram in Kaduna. In December 2014, he promised to improve security if elected. His popularity grew because many felt President Jonathan wasn't doing enough against Boko Haram.
On 31 March, President Jonathan called Buhari to congratulate him on winning the election. Buhari was sworn in on 29 May 2015. Many heads of state attended the ceremony.
Presidency (2015–2023)
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During his presidency, Nigeria's economy grew slowly. Unemployment rates were high, and many people became poorer. Buhari faced criticism for his slow decision-making.
Cabinet and Advisers
Buhari's main advisers included his nephew Mamman Daura and businessman Ismaila Isa Funtua. His Chief of Staff was Abba Kyari. After his second inauguration, Buhari preferred that cabinet members direct requests through his chief of staff.
In Nigeria, ministerial positions usually include a representative from each state. This means political reasons often influence who becomes a minister. In August 2019, Buhari named his cabinet. It was mostly men, with an average age of 60. Many were politicians or close to the president.
Health Concerns
In May 2016, Buhari canceled a visit to Lagos due to an "ear infection." He traveled to the United Kingdom for medical care in June. In February 2017, he asked parliament to extend his medical leave for test results. He returned to Nigeria on 10 March after 51 days away.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo acted as president while Buhari recovered. Buhari missed some official appearances after returning. He left Nigeria again for medical check-ups in London in May 2017 and May 2018. He returned from a 104-day medical leave in August 2017.
Economy During Presidency
Many Nigerians chose Buhari because they saw him as honest. But he was slow to start his plans. It took six months to name his cabinet. The national budgets for 2016 and 2017 were also delayed.
In Buhari's first year, Nigeria's economy faced a recession due to lower oil prices. To get money for projects, Buhari visited many countries seeking loans. The value of the Nigerian currency, the Naira, dropped in the black market. This caused a shortage of foreign money for businesses.
In May 2016, the government increased the price of gasoline. This was to help with shortages caused by foreign exchange problems. Nigeria's economy grew slowly in 2016 and 2017. The 2018 budget focused on infrastructure projects like roads and power plants.
Buhari's government worked with the Central Bank to boost farming. They encouraged banks to lend money to farmers. They also limited foreign money for importing food that could be grown locally.
Social Welfare Programs
In 2016, Buhari launched the National Social Investment Program. This program aimed to share resources fairly with vulnerable people. It helped children, youth, and women. There are four main parts to the program:
- The N-Power program gives young Nigerians job training and a monthly payment.
- The Conditional Cash Transfer Program (CCTP) gives money directly to the poorest people. This helps reduce poverty and improve nutrition.
- The Government Enterprise and Empowerment Program (GEEP) offers free loans to farmers, small traders, and market women. This helps them start businesses.
- The National Home Grown School Feeding Program (NHGSF) provides free meals to schoolchildren. This helps more children attend school, especially in poor areas.
These programs were moved to a new Ministry in 2019. This was to make sure they became a permanent part of government support.
Fighting Corruption
Buhari's government investigated a large arms deal from the previous administration. The report showed that billions of dollars meant for buying arms to fight Boko Haram were misused. This led to the arrest of Sambo Dasuki, the former National Security Adviser, and other important figures.
In December 2016, the government started a whistle-blowing policy. It offered rewards for information about financial fraud or mismanagement of public money. By May 2018, Nigeria's anti-corruption agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), had convicted many people. These included judges and military officers.
In July 2020, the EFCC chairman, Ibrahim Magu, was arrested over financial issues. He was replaced by Mohammed Umar. Despite these efforts, Transparency International still rated Nigeria low in its corruption index in January 2020.
Security Challenges
Niger Delta Issues
Nigeria has large oil reserves in the Niger Delta. Oil production has caused environmental damage, affecting farming and fishing. The government started a project to clean up polluted areas. However, there are still attacks on oil facilities by groups like the Niger Delta Avengers. These attacks reduce oil production and government income.
Shia Muslims
The Islamic Movement (Nigeria) is a leading group of Shia Muslims in Nigeria. In December 2015, the group was accused of attacking a military chief. Their base was attacked, leading to many deaths. Their leader, Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky, was arrested and held for years. He was later released in July 2021.
Biafra Separatists
The Indigenous People of Biafra is a group that wants a separate nation called Biafra. A Biafra republic was briefly formed during Nigeria's Civil War. In October 2015, their leader, Nnamdi Kanu, was arrested. This led to protests. Kanu later fled but was brought back to Nigeria.
Boko Haram Insurgency
The fight against Boko Haram changed after 2015. The group split into different factions. In October 2016, the government negotiated a deal that released 21 Chibok girls. By December 2016, the government had regained much of the territory held by Boko Haram. Buhari announced that Boko Haram was "technically defeated."
The insurgency forced about 2 million people from their homes. The government secured the release of 82 more Chibok girls in May 2017.
Banditry in Northern Nigeria
Since 2015, there has been a rise in banditry in Northern Nigeria. The Abuja-Kaduna highway is known for kidnappings. Bandits kidnap people for ransom and steal livestock. Some groups have taken control of entire villages. There are concerns that these bandits might be working with Boko Haram.
National Issues
Ruga Policy
The Buhari administration introduced the Ruga policy. This plan aimed to create special communities for nomadic Fulani herdsmen. The idea was to help them live and raise cattle without moving around. This policy was controversial and is currently suspended.
Alleged Militarization
Buhari's government faced criticism for its actions. Some felt his administration was too much like a military rule. In December 2019, a major Nigerian newspaper, PUNCH, started calling his administration a "regime" and him "General Buhari." They said his actions were far from democracy.
COVID-19 Pandemic Response
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After the COVID-19 pandemic started, Buhari created a Presidential Task Force to control the virus. In March 2020, he announced a two-week lockdown in major cities. In October, the task force warned about a possible second wave if people didn't follow health guidelines.
End SARS Protests
In October 2020, protests against police brutality erupted in Lagos and other cities. These were part of the End SARS movement. On 12 October, Buhari announced the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). He promised police reforms.
The Inspector General of Police announced a new unit, SWAT. But many protesters wanted a bigger change to the police system. Protests continued, with some clashes and deaths. In June 2021, police and army were deployed to prevent planned youth protests.
Foreign Policy
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Buhari described the military actions against Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar as ethnic cleansing. He warned of a disaster like the Rwandan genocide.
Nigeria and South Africa have large economies in Africa. However, both face high poverty and youth unemployment. Many Nigerians have moved to South Africa for better opportunities. Sometimes, tensions between migrants and local people have led to violence. Leaders from both countries met in 2019 to improve their relationship.
Buhari was the first president to call for a global agreement to end violence against women and girls.
Post-Presidency (2023–Present)
Buhari peacefully handed over power to his successor, Bola Tinubu, on 29 May 2023. This happened at an inauguration ceremony in Abuja. After the ceremony, he returned to his home state of Katsina. He was welcomed by local leaders and then retired to his farm and family home in Daura.
Personal Life
Family
In 1971, Buhari married his first wife, Safinatu. They had five children: Zulaihat, Fatima, Musa (who passed away), Hadiza, and Safinatu. Buhari and Safinatu divorced in 1988. Safinatu passed away in 2006. In 2012, his first daughter, Zulaihat, passed away from sickle cell anaemia.
In December 1989, Buhari married his second wife, Aisha Buhari. They have five children: Aisha, Halima, Yusuf, Zahra, and Amina. Yusuf married Zahra Nasir Bayero in August 2021. Buhari is a Muslim.
Wealth
In 2015, Buhari declared his assets. He had about US$150,000 in cash. He also owned five homes and two mud houses. He had farms, an orchard, and a ranch with cattle, sheep, horses, and birds. He also had shares in three companies, two undeveloped plots of land, and two cars.
Honours
National Honours
- Nigeria:
Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (GCFR) (1983)
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Foreign Honours
Benin:
Grand Cross of the National Order of Benin (2015)
Equatorial Guinea:
Grand Collar of the Order of Independence (2016)
Guinea Bissau:
Recipient of the Medal of Amílcar Cabral (8 December 2022)
Liberia:
Grand Cordon of the Order of the Pioneers of Liberia (27 July 2019)
Niger:
Grand Cross of the National Order of Niger (17 March 2021)
Portugal:
Grand Collar of the Order of Prince Henry (30 June 2022)
Senegal:
Grand Cross of the National Order of the Lion (7 July 2022)
Serbia:
Second Class of the Order of the Republic of Serbia (2016)
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Traditional Titles
In 2017, traditional leaders in South-East Nigeria gave President Buhari the chieftaincy titles of Enyioma I of Ebonyi and Ochioha I of Igboland. He already held the title of Ogbuagu I of Igboland. The next year, he received another title, Ikeogu I of Igboland.
See also
In Spanish: Muhammadu Buhari para niños
- List of heads of state of Nigeria
- List of Nigerians
- List of Hausa people
