ABUJA, Nigeria — President Bola Tinubu on Monday, December 15, 2025, paid tribute to the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, describing him as a leader defined by “quiet strength, discipline and enduring grace,” as Nigeria’s political class gathered in Abuja to reflect on the former leader’s life and legacy.
Tinubu spoke at the launch of a new biography, From Soldier to Statesman: The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari, held at the State House Conference Centre in the nation’s capital.
The event drew senior government officials, political allies, diplomats and family members, marking one of the most prominent official commemorations since Buhari’s death.
In his address, Tinubu said Buhari’s influence should not be measured by the trappings of power but by the values he left behind.
“The measure of a leader is not simply the offices he held or the motorcades that accompanied him. It is what persists when the sirens fall silent,” Tinubu said.
“President Muhammadu Buhari left behind a reputation for integrity, a spartan lifestyle, and the belief that public office is a trust and not a windfall.”
Tinubu said Buhari’s personal discipline and modest approach to leadership distinguished him in a political environment often criticised for excess and self-interest.
He added that Buhari’s record would continue to shape Nigeria’s democratic culture long after his time in office.
The president also reflected on his long political association with Buhari, recalling their collaboration in building the coalition that won Nigeria’s landmark presidential election in 2015.
That election ended the dominance of the then-ruling party and marked the first time an incumbent president was defeated at the polls.
Tinubu said the alliance formed in 2014 laid the foundation for what later became a dominant political force.
“The coalition we built together in 2014 has grown into Africa’s fastest-expanding political party,” he said.
He praised the biography for offering what he described as a balanced account of Buhari’s public life, noting that it did not shy away from examining both achievements and shortcomings.
“This book should not be read as a collection of slogans,” Tinubu said.
“It should be studied as a learning tool for future leaders.”
According to him, Buhari’s career illustrated the importance of consistency and personal integrity, qualities he said were acknowledged even by critics who disagreed with his policies.
Tinubu described Buhari as a committed patriot whose honesty and personal restraint earned respect across political divides.
He said their partnership demonstrated that cooperation across differences was essential to nation-building.
“Nation-building demands that we compete passionately and govern responsibly,” Tinubu said.
“In his memory, let us keep our politics honourable and our governance focused on results.”
The biography traces Buhari’s journey from a military officer to a two-term elected president, examining his years as head of state in the 1980s, his repeated presidential bids, and his eventual electoral victory three decades later.
It also explores the controversies and policy debates that defined his civilian presidency.
