The Federal Government of Nigeria has declared Tuesday a public holiday to honour the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away on Sunday at age 82 in a London clinic following years of ill health.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who had earlier announced a seven-day national mourning period, approved the holiday as a moment of reflection for the nation.
“This public holiday provides an opportunity for all Nigerians to reflect on his life, leadership, and the values he upheld,” the Minister of Interior said in a statement on Monday.
According to Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda, Buhari’s remains are expected to arrive at the Katsina airport by noon on Tuesday and will be buried in his hometown of Daura at 2pm.
“What I have gathered so far is that the corpse will arrive 12pm tomorrow [Tuesday] and the burial will happen by 2pm,” he said, after returning from London where he spent time with Buhari’s family.
Officials cited logistical reasons for the delay of the funeral, which was originally anticipated to take place on Monday.
The former president’s residence in Daura has already begun receiving mourners in anticipation of the burial.
Although Buhari is a former head of state, there will be no state funeral in line with Islamic traditions.
Renowned cleric Abdullahi Garangamawa noted that the late leader would be laid to rest in a modest ceremony. Tributes continue to pour in from across the political spectrum.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan praised Buhari as “selfless” and “patriotic,” while General Ibrahim Babangida, who ousted him in a 1985 coup, remembered him as “a moral compass” and “example of modesty.”
President Tinubu, who will attend the burial rites in Daura, ordered that national flags fly at half-mast as the country bids farewell to one of its most enduring political figures.
