President Bola Tinubu has approved the formation of a high-powered inter-ministerial committee to oversee the state burial of Nigeria’s former President, Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away in London on Sunday, July 13, at the age of 82 after a prolonged illness.
The solemn announcement was made in Abuja on Monday by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, who stated that the committee would work in concert with the Katsina State Government and the Buhari family to deliver a befitting and dignified farewell to the former head of state.
The committee will be chaired by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, and comprises several key government officials. These include the Ministers of Interior; the Federal Capital Territory; Housing and Urban Development; State for Health and Social Welfare; and Art, Culture and the Creative Economy.
Also on the committee are the National Security Adviser, the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, the Senior Special Assistant on Political Matters, the Inspector General of Police, the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Chief of Defence Staff. The Permanent Secretary of the General Services Office (GSO) will serve as the committee’s secretariat.
As part of the national mourning, President Tinubu has directed all ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to open condolence registers for members of the public to pay their respects. Additional registers are being set up at Nigerian embassies and missions worldwide, as well as at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja.
A high-level delegation led by Vice President Kashim Shettima is currently in London to finalise arrangements for the repatriation of Buhari’s remains.
Acting on behalf of the President, Shettima also paid a condolence visit to the late leader’s widow, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, and his ailing nephew, Mamman Daura.
Shettima was accompanied by Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar, and Deputy Chief of Staff Senator Ibrahim Hadejia.
According to reliable presidency sources, Buhari’s body is scheduled to arrive in Katsina by noon on Tuesday, where it will be received with full military honors. President Tinubu is expected to be on hand to personally receive the remains.
The body will then be taken to Daura, Buhari’s hometown, for Islamic funeral prayers (Jana’iza) and burial at his private residence by 2:00 pm, in accordance with Islamic rites.
In a mark of deep respect, 25 members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) have been directed to attend the burial and remain in Daura for the third-day Fidau prayers on Wednesday.
The President also declared a seven-day national mourning starting July 13, during which flags are to be flown at half-mast across the country. Furthermore, Tuesday, July 16, has been declared a public holiday in honour of the late leader.
Consequently, the special Federal Executive Council meeting initially slated for Tuesday has been rescheduled to Friday, July 18.
Back in Nigeria, streams of mourners have begun arriving at the Buhari family residence in Daura, where a somber atmosphere now envelops the town. Security around the Daura Emirate Council has been significantly strengthened as dignitaries and locals alike pay their last respects.
Tributes have continued to pour in from across the country and the international community. Buhari is being remembered as a man of discipline, integrity, and unwavering national commitment, who served as both a military Head of State (1984–1985) and a civilian President (2015–2023).
As Nigeria prepares to lay one of its most consequential leaders to rest, the coming days will be marked by reflection, remembrance, and reverence.
