Former President Muhammadu Buhari is currently recuperating in London after reportedly falling ill during a private trip to the United Kingdom. According to sources close to the former Nigerian leader, he was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) but has since been discharged and is now on the path to recovery.
Though the nature of his ailment was not disclosed, the report by TheCable revealed that Buhari’s health scare was serious enough to require intensive care, sparking concern among close allies and family members. A relative, who chose to remain anonymous, confirmed that the 81-year-old statesman is “doing better now” and is being closely monitored by doctors.
The news adds context to Buhari’s absence at the high-profile 50th anniversary celebration of ECOWAS, held in Lagos on May 28. At the time, his absence raised eyebrows, particularly given his history as a key figure in West African diplomacy. In a letter sent to President Bola Tinubu, Buhari attributed his nonattendance to “medical commitments” abroad — a detail that now holds deeper meaning in light of his reported illness.
Also said to be recovering in the UK is Mamman Daura, Buhari’s uncle and longtime confidant, who has kept a low public profile in recent years.
Buhari, who handed over power to Tinubu in May 2023 after completing his second term as Nigeria’s president, has mostly kept a low profile since stepping down, choosing to spend time between his hometown of Daura in Katsina State and occasional trips abroad.
While Nigerians await further official updates, the former president’s health scare has drawn messages of support from supporters and political allies. Many have taken to social media to wish him a speedy recovery.
For now, his family says he will return to Nigeria once fully stabilized.
