President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally announced the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari, who died Saturday afternoon in London at the age of 82 after a prolonged illness.

The announcement was made in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

According to the statement, President Buhari passed away at about 4:30 p.m. in a London clinic.

In honour of the late leader, President Tinubu has directed that the national flag be flown at half-staff across the country as a mark of respect.

President Tinubu, who has since spoken with the former First Lady, Mrs Aisha Buhari, extended his condolences to the bereaved family, the people of Katsina State, and the nation at large.

In a solemn act of state honour, President Tinubu has also dispatched Vice President Kashim Shettima to the United Kingdom to accompany the body of the former president back to Nigeria.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced the passing of his predecessor, President Muhammadu Buhari.

“President Buhari died today in London at about 4.30 pm, following a prolonged illness.

“President Tinubu has spoken with Mrs Aishat Buhari, the former President’s widow and offered his deep condolences.

“President Tinubu has also ordered Vice President Kashim Shettima to proceed to the United Kingdom to accompany President Muhammadu Buhari’s body back to Nigeria.

“Former President Buhari was twice elected Nigeria’s President in 2015 and 2019.

“He also served as military head of state between January 1984 and August 1985.

“President Tinubu has ordered flags at half-staff as a mark of respect for the departed leader”, the statement said.

Muhammadu Buhari, who served as Nigeria’s President from 2015 to 2019, had previously ruled as military Head of State between January 1984 and August 1985 following a coup.

A retired Major General in the Nigerian Army, Buhari became a central figure in Nigerian political life for over four decades, known for his reputation for discipline, anti-corruption stance, and austere personal style.

His tenure as a democratically elected President marked a historic moment in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic, as he became the first opposition candidate to defeat an incumbent president at the ballot box.