Tension In Nigeria Over Buhari’s Health Condition
Mallam Garba Shehu, spokesman for former President Muhammadu Buhari, has confirmed that the ex-Nigerian leader is ill and receiving treatment in the United Kingdom.
Buhari, who led Africa’s most populous country from 2015 to 2023, has been in the UK since April, according to multiple sources, which also secured a confirmation from his longtime aide, Garba Shehu.
“There are conflicting reports about when exactly he became unwell,” a family source said.
“Some say he fell ill in Nigeria and was flown out. Others insist he only took ill after arriving in London for regular medical checks,” the source added.
Amid growing concerns over Buhari’s whereabouts and well-being, Shehu, in a brief message to PREMIUMTIMES, acknowledged that his boss had indeed taken ill abroad but was now recovering.
“Following your enquiry, I wish to state as follows: It is true that the former president, Muhammadu Buhari, is unwell. He has been receiving treatment in the UK,” Shehu said.
“You would recall he made it known that he was going for his annual medical check-up. He became ill there, but I am happy to announce to you that he is doing well in his recovery while receiving treatment. We pray for his healthy recovery,” he added.
Shehu, however, offered no details about the nature of Buhari’s illness, its severity, or which hospital was handling his treatment.
In a related development, sources told Empowered Newswire that Buhari’s close uncle and confidant, Mallam Mamman Daura, was also recovering in the UK after an illness.
Last month, Buhari expressed regret over his inability to attend the 50th anniversary celebration of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) held in Lagos on May 28.
In a statement, he explained that medical assessments in the UK required his attention.
“Regrettably,… I am currently in the United Kingdom undergoing routine medical check-ups and therefore unable to attend this historic event,” Buhari had stated then.
A photo which surfaced online in May showed Buhari with Abdulrasheed Bawa, former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), during a visit to London.
The reason for Bawa’s visit was not disclosed.
Buhari’s Foreign Medical Trips As President
During his eight-year tenure as Nigeria’s president, Muhammadu Buhari became widely known for his frequent foreign medical trips, particularly to the United Kingdom. These trips, often shrouded in secrecy, sparked national debate and criticism, especially given Buhari’s earlier campaign promises to end medical tourism and improve Nigeria’s healthcare system.
Buhari’s first known medical trip occurred in February 2016, less than a year into his presidency. Officially described as a short vacation, it was later revealed that he had also sought medical attention during his stay in London.
Just a few months later, in June 2016, he returned to the UK for treatment of an ear infection. This trip drew criticism from the Nigerian Medical Association, which pointed out that Nigeria had qualified specialists capable of handling such a condition.
The most significant and controversial of Buhari’s medical absences began in January 2017, when he left Nigeria for what was described as a “medical vacation.” He remained in London for 50 days, returning in March.
Barely two months later, in May 2017, he departed again for further treatment and stayed abroad for an unprecedented 104 days.
The nature of his illness was never officially disclosed, fueling speculation and concern about the president’s capacity to govern. During this period, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo served as acting president.
In 2018, Buhari made another brief medical trip to London in May, reportedly for a follow-up consultation. After a relatively quiet period, he resumed his medical visits in 2021, travelling to the UK in March for a routine check-up.
This trip coincided with a strike by Nigerian doctors, highlighting the irony of the president seeking care abroad while the domestic healthcare system was in crisis. He returned to London again in June and July of that year for further treatment.
In 2022, Buhari made at least two more medical trips to the UK, one in March and another in October. These visits were described as routine medical check-ups.
His final known medical trip as president occurred in May 2023, shortly after attending the coronation of King Charles III. He reportedly extended his stay in London to undergo a dental procedure.
In total, Buhari is believed to have spent over 230 days abroad for medical reasons during his presidency.
The financial cost of these trips, particularly the operation and maintenance of the presidential jet, was estimated by some media outlets to range between ₦1.1 billion and ₦5.4 billion.
These figures do not include the cost of medical care, accommodation, or the accompanying delegation.
The president’s reliance on foreign healthcare drew sharp criticism from civil society groups, medical professionals, and political opponents. Many viewed it as a betrayal of his campaign promises and a stark symbol of the government’s neglect of Nigeria’s healthcare infrastructure.
Dr. Osahon Enabulele, then president of the World Medical Association, described the situation as a “national shame,” while opposition figures like human rights activist Omoyele Sowore lambasted Buhari for failing to build a single world-class hospital in Nigeria throughout his tenure.
Despite the backlash, Buhari remained largely unapologetic about his medical travels, often citing the need for continuity in treatment and the importance of trust in his long-time UK-based doctors.
His administration offered little transparency about the specifics of his health, reinforcing a culture of secrecy around the medical conditions of Nigerian leaders.
