Tuesday has been declared a public holiday by the Nigerian government to honour late former President Muhammadu Buhari, who died on Sunday at age 82 in a London clinic after battling prolonged health challenges.
President Bola Tinubu, who had already announced a seven-day mourning period, gave additional approval for the public holiday.
“This public holiday provides an opportunity for all Nigerians to reflect on his life, leadership, and the values he upheld,” said the Minister of Interior in an official release.
Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State, who was with Buhari’s family in the UK and returned Monday, revealed that Buhari will be buried in his hometown on Tuesday.
”What I have gathered so far is that the corpse will arrive 12pm tomorrow [Tuesday] and the burial will happen by 2pm,” he said.
Officials noted that the funeral, which was expected to hold on Monday, was moved for logistical reasons.
Radda confirmed that the body would be flown directly to Katsina airport and transported to Daura, located around 80km from Katsina city.
Buhari’s home in Daura has already become a gathering point for mourners awaiting the body.
The vice-president confirmed the former president died after a brief illness, without disclosing further information.
Although he served as both military head of state and civilian president, Buhari will not receive a full state burial. Islamic cleric Abdullahi Garangamawa explained that in keeping with Islamic principles, the burial will be conducted swiftly and without lavish ceremony.
Condolences have continued to flow in for the late leader, who first led Nigeria as a military ruler and returned as an elected president. His 2015 election marked the first time an opposition candidate unseated a sitting president.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan described Buhari as someone who “was selfless in his commitment to his duty and served the country with character and a deep sense of patriotism”.
General Ibrahim Babangida, who ousted Buhari in a 1985 coup, also paid tribute.
“He is a man who, even in retirement, remained a moral compass to many, and an example of modesty in public life,” Babangida stated.
President Tinubu, expected to attend the funeral prayer in Daura, released a statement Sunday evening. He announced that national flags would fly at half-mast from Sunday, and the nation would pay its final respects with dignity and honour.
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