Freetown, July 13, 2025 — Sierra Leone’s President and current ECOWAS Chairman, Julius Maada Bio, has expressed his profound sorrow over the passing of former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, describing it as a significant loss not just for Nigeria but for the entire West African region.
Taking to social media, President Bio conveyed his condolences to the government and people of Nigeria, as well as to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the family of the late statesman.
“I am deeply saddened to hear about the passing of President Muhammadu Buhari, the former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” President Bio wrote. “On behalf of the people of the Republic of Sierra Leone, I want to express our heartfelt condolences to his family, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and to the people of Nigeria during this incredibly difficult time. This is truly a devastating loss, and our thoughts are with you all.”
President Bio’s message adds to the growing chorus of tributes pouring in from across Africa and beyond, as leaders reflect on Buhari’s decades-long influence on Nigeria’s political and military history.
“President Buhari died today in London at approximately 4:30 p.m., after battling ill health for some time,” Tinubu’s spokesperson announced via a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Buhari served as Nigeria’s democratically elected president from 2015 until 2023, following a decisive victory that ended the 16-year rule of the People’s Democratic Party. Before his return to power as a civilian leader, Buhari had also ruled Nigeria as a military head of state between January 1984 and August 1985, after seizing power in a coup.
Throughout his time in office, Buhari was known for his tough stance on corruption and efforts to revamp Nigeria’s troubled economy, though his tenure was also marked by widespread insecurity and economic challenges.
