The nation recently mourned the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari, who died on a Sunday in a London clinic after a protracted illness and was subsequently buried in his ancestral home of Daura, Katsina State. Beyond the public tributes and official ceremonies, members of his immediate family and domestic staff offered deeply personal insights into the man behind the formal title, painting a portrait of a father, grandfather, and leader defined by discipline, quiet humour, and profound love for his family and even animals.

His children and grandchildren shared rare glimpses into his private world. Hadiza Muhammadu Buhari, affectionately known as Nana, recounted childhood memories that underscored her father’s strict insistence on honesty and respect for others’ property. She recalled an incident where, after buying textbooks with money he provided, she used some change for sweets. Buhari gently rebuked her, emphasizing, “Nana, that’s improper. If you’re sent to buy something, bring back the change. If they choose to give it to you, accept it. But never take what isn’t yours.” Nana described him as warm and quietly affectionate, often calling her “Madam Nana” and engaging in light-hearted conversations. Despite the immense pressures of leadership, she remembered a man who never raised his voice, choosing silence even when provoked, as “he didn’t like noise.”

Buhari’s affection extended notably to his grandchildren, for whom he invented pet names and even offered unusual gifts. Sa’adatu Muhammad, one of his grandchildren, shared a unique tradition: each time a grandchild was born, Buhari would gift them a pair of turtles—male and female—as pets. Sa’adatu received turtles three separate times, and when the last pair died, he humorously told her he wouldn’t replace them again. These gestures, for Sa’adatu, revealed a grandfather who celebrated new life in symbolic ways. She also defended his public reputation, stating, “Everyone makes mistakes, but no matter what, you cannot call Baba a thief or a tyrant.”

Aisha Hanan Buhari, another of his younger daughters, expressed a deep personal loss, stating, “Losing him feels like losing a part of me.” She highlighted his often-unseen playful side and sense of humour, which surfaced in private family moments. Hanan also conveyed gratitude to Nigerians who, despite political disagreements, offered prayers and forgiveness after his passing, affirming his good intentions for the nation: “He belonged to everyone.” She remembered his guidance to study, pray, and find joy in life’s small pleasures.

Even those outside the immediate family, such as his domestic staff, experienced Buhari’s warmth and simplicity. Suleiman Sani Kaita, who served him meals and drinks for years, described his modest daily habits, noting his love for “boiled potatoes and eggs,” regular tea consumption, and preference for simple meals. Aliyu Maiwada Masanawa, another long-serving aide, cherished the affectionate nickname “Malam Dogo” that Buhari bestowed upon him, stating, “Since I met him, he treated me like his grandchild.” To his family and close staff, Buhari was more than a national figure; he was a man of deep faith, quiet generosity, and surprising humour.

In response to his death, President Bola Tinubu confirmed the former president’s passing and immediately ordered Vice President Kashim Shettima to travel to the UK to bring Buhari’s body home. Tinubu declared seven days of national mourning and a public holiday, with flags ordered to be flown at half-staff, recognizing Buhari’s significant legacy as both a military head of state and an elected president. Global and local leaders, associates, family, and friends joined in mourning and paying tribute.

Emmanuel Onyejiuwa, an 82-year-old former secondary school classmate of Buhari, also mourned his demise, recalling that they wrote the same West African School Certificate Exam in December 1961, administered by WAEC in collaboration with the University of Cambridge. While Buhari sat his exam in Katsina and later joined the Nigerian Army in 1962, Onyejiuwa took his in Okigwe and chose the civil service. He fondly recalled the bonding among boarding school students from that era and clarified that they were “classmates at class five, the final class then, and not school mates.” Onyejiuwa extended his wishes for Buhari’s “God’s speed on his Highland Journey home to his maker.” Similarly, Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State shared how Buhari, during his nearly two years in Daura post-presidency, was a “jovial person who often made me laugh,” frequently discussing Nigeria’s challenges and the burdens of leadership.