Former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari is currently receiving medical treatment in the United Kingdom, his spokesperson has confirmed.
Buhari, who left office in May 2023 after serving two terms, travelled to London in April 2025 for what was initially described as a routine medical check-up. However, sources close to his family say he later became seriously ill.
“There are conflicting reports about when exactly he became unwell. Some say he was already sick before leaving Nigeria, while others believe he took ill after arriving in London,” a source told PREMIUM TIMES.
Buhari’s longtime spokesperson, Garba Shehu, confirmed the development in a message to the media.
“It is true that the former president, Muhammadu Buhari, is unwell. He has been receiving treatment in the UK. He became ill there, but I am happy to announce to you that he is doing well in his recovery while receiving treatment. We pray for his healthy recovery,” Shehu said.
The exact illness and the name of the hospital have not been made public.
This situation has reminded many Nigerians of Buhari’s history of long medical trips abroad while he was president between 2015 and 2023. During his time in office, Buhari made several visits to London for health reasons, which often sparked public debate about the poor state of Nigeria’s healthcare system.
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In 2016, he travelled to London to treat an ear infection, drawing criticism from the Nigerian Medical Association for not using local doctors. In 2017, he spent 50 days in London for medical check-ups, followed by another long stay of 104 days the same year, leading to concerns about his ability to govern.
At one point, a private apartment was reportedly rented near his hospital in London to make access easier and more discreet.
Since stepping down in 2023, the 82-year-old former leader has lived quietly in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State. However, his health reportedly began to decline again in April this year, and he has remained abroad ever since.