Muhammadu Buhari
Muhammadu Buhari GCFR (ⓘ; born 17 December 1942) is a Nigerian politician who served as the president of Nigeria from 2015 to 2023. A retired Nigerian army major general, he served as the country's military head of state from 31 December 1983 to 27 August 1985, after taking power from the Shehu Shagari civilian government in a military coup d'état. The term Buharism is used to describe the authoritarian policies of his military regime.
Muhammadu Buhari | |
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Official portrait, 2015 | |
| 7th and 15th President of Nigeria | |
| In office 29 May 2015 – 29 May 2023 | |
| Vice President | Yemi Osinbajo |
| Preceded by | Goodluck Jonathan |
| Succeeded by | Bola Tinubu |
| In office 31 December 1983 – 27 August 1985 as Military Head of State of Nigeria | |
| Chief of Staff | Tunde Idiagbon |
| Preceded by | Shehu Shagari |
| Succeeded by | Ibrahim Babangida |
| Federal Minister of Petroleum Resources | |
| In office 11 November 2015 – 29 May 2023 | |
| President | Himself |
| Minister of State | Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu Timipre Sylva |
| Preceded by | Diezani Allison-Madueke |
| Succeeded by | Bola Tinubu |
| In office March 1976 – June 1978 as Federal Commissioner of Petroleum and Natural Resources | |
| Head of State | Olusegun Obasanjo |
| Governor of Borno State | |
| In office 3 February 1976 – 15 March 1976 | |
| Head of State | Murtala Mohammed Olusegun Obasanjo |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Mustapha Amin |
| In office 1 August 1975 – 3 February 1976 as Governor of the North-Eastern State | |
| Head of State | Murtala Mohammed |
| Preceded by | Musa Usman |
| Succeeded by | Office abolished |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 17 December 1942 Daura, Northern Region, British Nigeria (now in Katsina, Nigeria) |
| Political party | All Progressives Congress (2013–present) |
| Other political affiliations |
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| Spouses | |
| Relations |
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| Children | 10
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| Alma mater | |
| Occupation |
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| Awards | List of honors and awards |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Nigeria |
| Branch/service | Nigerian Army |
| Years of service | 1962–1985 |
| Rank | Major general |
| Battles/wars | Nigerian Civil War Chadian–Nigerian War |
Buhari ran for president of Nigeria on the platform and support of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) in 2003 and 2007, and on the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) platform in 2011. In December 2014, he emerged as the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress party for the 2015 general election. Buhari won the election, defeating incumbent President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. This was the first time in the history of Nigeria that an incumbent president lost a general election. He was sworn in on 29 May 2015. In February 2019, Buhari was re-elected, defeating his closest rival, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, by over 3 million votes.