The news that former President Muhammadu Buhari had passed away on July 13, 2025, in a London hospital has sparked varied reactions across Nigeria, with a noticeable absence of widespread mourning. For many Nigerians, his presidency, spanning 2015 to 2023, is remembered more for its controversies and hardships than for progress. From economic missteps to heavy-handed governance, several events during his tenure left deep scars on the collective psyche. Here are some notable events from Buharis’s tenure which might have lead tothis reaction from Nigerians.
The Twitter Ban in 2021
In June 2021, President Buhari’s government made global headlines by banning Twitter, a platform heavily used by young Nigerians for political expression, activism, and business. The ban came shortly after Twitter deleted one of Buhari’s tweets that was widely condemned as threatening and inciting violence.
Rather than addressing the issues raised by Nigerian youth, Buhari chose to silence them. For over seven months, citizens were cut off from one of their most vital tools for mobilization and free speech. It was a clear message: dissent would not be tolerated.
The #EndSARS Massacre
The 2020 End SARS protests against police brutality, particularly by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), were a turning point in Buhari’s presidency. Nigerians, led by young people, demanded an end to extrajudicial killings, extortion, and harassment. The protests were largely peaceful until October 20, 2020, when security forces allegedly opened fire on unarmed protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos. The incident, which left an unconfirmed number of dead and injured, became a symbol of the administration’s disregard for its youth. Buhari’s silence in the aftermath, coupled with the government’s denial of the massacre despite evidence, deepened public distrust. To date, justice has not been served.
Cash Scarcity Crisis of 2023
In early 2023, under Buhari’s leadership, Nigeria experienced a severe cash scarcity due to the naira redesign policy introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria. The new notes were unavailable, and the old ones were declared illegal, leading to widespread suffering.
People stood in endless queues outside banks. Fights broke out at ATMs. Small business owners lost their daily income. Several Nigerians reportedly died due to lack of cash to pay for food, medication, or transportation to hospitals. Yet, the government pushed on with the policy, offering no meaningful relief. It was suffering inflicted by choice, not by chance.
Despite a Supreme Court ruling against the policy, the Buhari administration ignored it, only reversing course after President Tinubu took office. For many, it was yet another example of Buhari’s tone-deaf governance.
ASUU Strikes
Buhari’s presidency saw some of the longest Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strikes in Nigerian history. Under Buhari’s watch, Nigerian universities were repeatedly shut down due to prolonged strikes by ASUU. The most notable were the nine-month strike in 2020 and another that lasted eight months in 2022.
Rather than resolving these crises, Buhari’s administration appeared indifferent. At one point in 2022, Buhari even denied knowledge of the ongoing strike. Students lost years of academic progress, while the quality of higher education in the country deteriorated further. In a nation where education should be a top priority, this neglect was both damaging and demoralizing.
Fuel Subsidy and Economic Hardship
Under Buhari, Nigerians witnessed one of the most dramatic economic declines in decades. Despite being Africa’s largest oil producer, the country faced recurring fuel scarcity. Buhari, who also doubled as Minister of Petroleum, failed to stabilize the sector. Fuel prices skyrocketed, inflation soared, and millions fell deeper into poverty.
Promises to diversify the economy, build refineries, and create jobs remained just promises. By the time he left office, unemployment and food insecurity had reached alarming levels.
Insecurity
Perhaps one of the most painful aspects of Buhari’s presidency was the total breakdown of security. In his campaign, he promised to defeat Boko Haram and restore peace. Instead, new threats emerged: kidnappers, bandits, and unknown gunmen.
Traveling by road became a gamble. Children were kidnapped from schools. Villages were attacked with impunity. Citizens were left to fend for themselves while the government offered “thoughts and prayers.”
Buhari’s presidency was marked by broken promises, economic mismanagement, human rights violations, and widespread hardship. While some may still view him as a disciplined leader or a man of integrity, most Nigerians are not mourning. They are breathing a sigh of relief. And perhaps, they are hoping that this marks the end of an era and the beginning of something better.
Marrying Ghana Kente is dedicated to ensuring you have a fabulous Ghana and African wedding experience. We provide the best quality Kente for brides and grooms, Senator wears and luxurious wedding accessories. Shop now at https://mgkente.com/
Looking for love? Why don’t you check out our dating site https://mgdating.com/. Your heartthrob may be a click away.
