Former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari’s cause of death has been revealed as pneumonia, not cancer, according to his wife, Aisha Buhari. The former First Lady disclosed this information in a biography about her late husband, titled “From Soldier to Statesman: The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari,” written by Charles Omole.
President Buhari passed away in mid-2025 at a London clinic and was subsequently flown back to Nigeria, where he was laid to rest in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State. Aisha Buhari recounted her husband’s final days, describing them as difficult, with the former President spending time in the intensive care unit and ward before his condition deteriorated.
The former First Lady attributed her husband’s illness to his decades of physical exposure, dating back to his time in the military. She noted that he had spent 30 months as a soldier in the bush, often in the South-South region, where he was exposed to harsh weather conditions. This prolonged exposure, combined with the use of air-conditioning in his later years, likely contributed to the development of pneumonia, which ultimately led to his death.
The biography quotes Aisha Buhari as saying, “He had been a soldier in the bush for 30 months, mostly in the South-South, soaked by rain in uniforms that dried on his body. Decades later, she believes, the cold had lodged in his lungs and bones — exacerbated by office air-conditioning. Pneumonia was the last adversary.” The book also reveals that sputum tests conducted on President Buhari did not indicate cancer, with medical professionals confirming that pneumonia was the cause of his death.
Aisha Buhari’s revelation provides clarity on the circumstances surrounding her husband’s passing, which had been the subject of speculation. The former President’s legacy continues to be felt in Nigeria, and this new information sheds light on the final days of a man who played a significant role in the country’s history. The biography, which explores President Buhari’s life and career, offers a unique insight into the experiences that shaped him, including his time in the military and his later years as a statesman.
