Profiles

General Muhammadu Buhari Biography: Age, Family, Career, Politics, Net Worth

General Muhammadu Buhari is a retired Nigerian military officer, politician, and statesman who served as Nigeria’s Head of State (1983–1985) and later as a democratically elected President (2015–2023). Known for his anti-corruption stance, military discipline, and governance reforms, Buhari played a major role in shaping Nigeria’s political landscape.


Early Life and Background

Date of Birth & Hometown

  • Muhammadu Buhari was born on December 17, 1942, in Daura, Katsina State, Nigeria.

Nationality & Ethnicity

  • He holds Nigerian nationality and belongs to the Fulani ethnic group.

Parents & Family

  • Father: Hardo Adamu (a Fulani chief)
  • Mother: Zulaihat Adamu
  • He was the 23rd child of his father and lost him at a young age.

Growing up in a traditional Islamic household, Buhari was instilled with strong values of discipline and responsibility.


Education

Buhari attended Katsina Middle School and later Katsina Provincial Secondary School (now Government College, Katsina). In 1961, he joined the Nigerian Military Training College (NMTC), which later became the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA).

His military education also took him abroad:

  • Mons Officer Cadet School, UK (1962)
  • Defence Services Staff College, India (1973)
  • United States Army War College, USA (1980)

These institutions prepared him for high-level military and leadership roles.


Military Career (1961–1985)

Buhari’s military career spanned over two decades, during which he played key roles in Nigeria’s history.

Major Roles & Achievements:

  1. Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970): He fought on the federal side and was instrumental in key operations.
  2. Governor of North-Eastern State (1975): Appointed by General Murtala Mohammed after the 1975 coup.
  3. Federal Commissioner for Petroleum (1976–1978): Under General Olusegun Obasanjo, Buhari helped establish the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
  4. Military Coup & Head of State (1983–1985):
    • Overthrew Shehu Shagari’s civilian government in 1983, citing corruption.
    • Launched War Against Indiscipline (WAI) to promote social order.
    • Imposed strict economic measures but was overthrown in 1985 by General Ibrahim Babangida.

After his removal, Buhari was detained for nearly three years before being released in 1988.


Transition to Politics (2003–2015)

After retiring from the military, Buhari re-entered the political scene, running for president four times (2003, 2007, 2011, and 2015).

Key Political Milestones:

  • 2003 & 2007 Presidential Elections: Contested under the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) but lost.
  • 2011 Presidential Election: Ran under the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and lost again.
  • 2013: Helped merge opposition parties to form the All Progressives Congress (APC).
  • 2015 Presidential Election: Defeated incumbent Goodluck Jonathan, marking the first democratic power transition in Nigeria’s history.

Presidency (2015–2023)

Buhari’s presidency focused on security, economy, and anti-corruption but faced challenges.

Achievements:

  1. Anti-Corruption Campaign:
    • Strengthened the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
    • Launched the Treasury Single Account (TSA) to curb financial mismanagement.
  2. Security & Counterterrorism:
    • Intensified military efforts against Boko Haram insurgency.
    • Improved Nigeria’s border security and counterterrorism strategies.
  3. Economic & Infrastructure Development:
    • Implemented Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP).
    • Invested in major projects like the Lagos-Ibadan railway and Second Niger Bridge.

Challenges:

  • Economic Recession (2016 & 2020) due to oil price crashes.
  • Insecurity issues such as banditry and farmer-herder clashes.
  • Criticism of human rights violations and press restrictions.

Despite these, he secured re-election in 2019 before stepping down in 2023.


Personal Life: Wife & Children

Wife:

Buhari has been married twice:

  1. Safinatu Buhari (1971–1988): His first wife, whom he divorced in 1988.
  2. Aisha Buhari (married in 1989): Nigeria’s First Lady (2015–2023), known for her activism in women’s rights.

Children:

Buhari has 10 children, including:

  • Zulaihat Buhari (deceased)
  • Fatima Buhari
  • Yusuf Buhari (notably survived a motorcycle accident in 2017)
  • Hanan Buhari (a photographer and media specialist)

Net Worth

As of 2024, Muhammadu Buhari’s estimated net worth is around $80 million. His wealth comes from:

  • Military pension and entitlements
  • Investments in agriculture and livestock
  • Real estate holdings

Despite being one of Nigeria’s least extravagant leaders, his net worth remains a subject of debate.


Conclusion

Muhammadu Buhari’s legacy is one of discipline, military influence, and political resilience. From a soldier and military ruler to a democratically elected president, his journey has been historic and controversial.

His tenure brought anti-corruption measures, economic challenges, and security reforms, making him a defining figure in Nigeria’s modern history…