Buhari ill, Receiving Treatment in UK – Aide Confirms, Refuses to Disclose Ailment

Former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari is currently receiving medical treatment in the United Kingdom, his long-time spokesperson, Garba Shehu, confirmed on Thursday. However, the nature of his illness remains undisclosed.

Buhari, who served as Nigeria’s president from 2015 to 2023, has been in the UK since April. Multiple sources revealed that the former leader had taken ill either before his departure or shortly after arriving in London for what was initially planned as a routine check-up.

“It is true that the former president, Muhammadu Buhari, is unwell. He has been receiving treatment in the UK. You will recall he mentioned he was going for his annual medical check-up. He became ill there, but I am happy to announce that he is doing well in his recovery.”

While Shehu confirmed the illness and recovery process, he did not disclose the medical condition, its severity, or the hospital providing the treatment.

This latest development adds to Buhari’s long history of foreign medical visits during and after his presidency. From 2016 to 2023, he made multiple trips to the UK for treatment often without clear explanations to the public. His most notable medical absence occurred in 2017, when he was away from Nigeria for 104 consecutive days.

In total, Buhari is estimated to have spent over 230 days abroad on medical grounds during his presidency. These trips sparked national debate, as he had previously campaigned on promises to end medical tourism and revamp Nigeria’s healthcare system.

Buhari’s ongoing reliance on overseas care drew criticism from political opponents and medical professionals alike, with many seeing it as a symbol of the government’s failure to invest in local health infrastructure.

In June, Buhari cited medical check-ups in the UK as the reason for missing the 50th anniversary celebration of ECOWAS in Lagos.

“We pray for his healthy recovery,” Shehu added in his statement.