Facts About Buhari As A Former Military And Civilian Leader

Buhari was born into a Muslim family in Daura, Katsina State, North-West Nigeria, in 1942.

He attended the Katsina Provincial Secondary School (now Government College, Katsina) from 1956 to 1961.

He joined the Nigerian Army in 1961 when he was admitted to the Nigerian Military Training College, Kaduna.

He was Nigeria’s second longest serving leader:— 9 years, 7 months and 27 days; He spent 1 year, 7 months and 27 days as military leader (Dec 31, 1983 to Aug 27, 1985) and eight years as democratically elected President (May 29, 2015, to May 29, 2023).

He was the first military governor of Borno State in 1976.

More facts about Buhari

He was the Federal Commissioner for Petroleum and Natural Resources: 1976

First Chairman, NNPC: 1977

He was Chairman, Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF): 1994

On December 31, 1983, as a General, Buhari became the Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

His regime as a military leader was renowned for instilling discipline among citizens, popularised by the War Against Indiscipline.

Buhari joined politics in 2003, following Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999.

He contested the presidential election five times, contesting under three political parties(ANPP, CPC, and APC), lost three times in 2003, 2007, and 2011, and won in his fourth attempt at the presidency in 2015 on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, defeating the then-incumbent President, Goodluck Jonathan.

Buhari was elected and inaugurated twice as President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria in 2015 and 2019.

The former president was married to Safinatu Yusuf from 1971 to 1988, and Aisha Halilu since 1989.

He was blessed with 10 children.