VP Shettima Visits Buhari in London on Tinubu’s Orders as Health Rumors Swirl
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reportedly dispatched Vice President Kashim Shettima to London to check on former President Muhammadu Buhari, who is said to be receiving medical treatment in a London hospital.
Sources familiar with the development told THISDAY that Shettima, who was in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for the launch of the Green Legacy Initiative at the invitation of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, was redirected to the UK by President Tinubu upon receiving updates about Buhari’s health.
According to the source, Tinubu instructed Shettima to personally deliver his message of goodwill, ensure the former president was receiving proper care, and provide a direct update on his condition.
The Vice President reportedly spent several hours with Buhari and also facilitated a phone conversation between the ailing former leader and President Tinubu.
“Shettima arrived in London in the early hours of Monday and stayed with Buhari for several hours after delivering the president’s message,” the source revealed. “He also visited former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, who is also recuperating in London.”
Although the visit was not officially disclosed, the President’s media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, confirmed Shettima had travelled to London but declined to comment on his engagements.
“I am aware that the Vice President travelled, but I’m not privy to any details about meetings with former Presidents Buhari or Abdulsalami. It was a private visit,” Nkwocha said.
This latest development has reignited public interest in Buhari’s long-standing health challenges, which were a recurring topic during his presidency due to his frequent foreign medical trips many of which drew heavy criticism.
During his eight-year tenure, Buhari made several extended visits to the UK for undisclosed medical reasons. The most controversial trip took place in 2017 when he spent 104 consecutive days abroad, raising concerns about his fitness for office. In total, Buhari reportedly spent over 230 days outside Nigeria for medical treatment while in power.
Despite pledging to end medical tourism during his 2015 campaign, Buhari continued to rely on foreign healthcare services, often at great public expense. Estimates suggest that his medical-related travels cost the Nigerian government between ₦1.1 billion and ₦5.4 billion, excluding the costs of treatment and accommodations.
The lack of transparency surrounding his medical conditions, along with his administration’s failure to significantly improve Nigeria’s healthcare infrastructure, drew sharp criticism from civil society, medical associations, and political opponents.
Dr. Osahon Enabulele, former president of the World Medical Association, once described Buhari’s medical travel record as a “national shame,” while activist Omoyele Sowore accused him of neglecting Nigerian hospitals and failing to deliver on his promises.
