The remains of former President Muhammadu Buhari arrived in Nigeria on Monday, July 15, 2025, ahead of his burial in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State. The late president’s body, accompanied by Vice President Kashim Shettima, landed at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Airport in Katsina after being flown from London, where he passed away on July 13 at age 82.
President Bola Tinubu led the somber reception ceremony, where he consoled former First Lady Aisha Buhari and other family members. Katsina State Governor Dikko Umar Radda and senior government officials joined the delegation to receive the casket draped in Nigeria’s national colors.
The burial arrangements follow Islamic traditions, with the interment scheduled for later today in Daura. The Federal Government has declared a week of national mourning, with flags flying at half-mast across all public buildings. Security has been heightened in Katsina as dignitaries and mourners gather to pay their final respects to Nigeria’s 15th head of state, who led the country from 2015 to 2023.
The ceremony marks the first state burial for a former Nigerian leader since Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s passing in 2010. International delegations from several countries are expected to attend the funeral rites in Daura.
