In May 2015, the air in Nigeria was thick with a sensation the country hadn’t felt in decades: Hope. Muhammadu Buhari, a former military dictator rebranded as a “converted democrat,” had achieved the impossible, unseating an incumbent president. His inaugural words, “I belong to everybody, and I belong to nobody,” echoed as a promise of fairness, integrity, and a new dawn.
However, eight years later, as he retired to his home in Daura, the optimism had been replaced by a haunting silence. Nigeria was a different country—one marked by economic fragility, unprecedented insecurity, and a deep-seated disillusionment.
1. The Anti-Corruption War: A Campaign of Contradictions
Buhari’s strongest selling point was his perceived personal integrity. He was the “Incorruptible General” who would clean the Augean stables of Nigerian politics.
The Successes
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Asset Recovery: His administration recovered billions of Naira in stolen funds from both domestic and international sources.
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High-Profile Convictions: For the first time, several former governors and high-ranking civil servants were prosecuted and jailed.
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International Recognition: In 2017 and 2018, the African Union named him the “Anti-Corruption Champion.”
The Reality
Despite the accolades, Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index showed Nigeria steadily dropping. In 2015, Nigeria ranked 136th; by 2020, it had fallen to 149th. Critics labeled the war “selective,” noting that corruption charges often vanished once a politician joined the ruling APC.
The administration was also rocked by internal scandals:
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The Accountant General, Ahmed Idris was arrested for an alleged 109 billion Naira fraud.
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The “Animal” Heists: Public discourse turned into a dark comedy with reports of a snake swallowing 36 million Naira at a JAMB office and monkeys making off with 70 million Naira from a senator’s farm.
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The Termite Defense: In 2022, officials claimed termites had eaten vouchers covering 17.1 billion Naira in expenditures.
2. The Economic Collapse: From “Change” to Crisis
Buhari inherited an economy suffering from a drop in oil prices, but his policy responses—or lack thereof—led to two recessions during his tenure.
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Currency Crisis: Buhari famously promised to make the Naira equal to the Dollar. Instead, the exchange rate moved from 197/$1 in 2015 to over 700/$1 on the parallel market by 2023.
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Inflation and Debt: Inflation soared to an 18-year high of over 22%. National debt tripled, rising to over $150 billion as the government relied heavily on “Ways and Means” (printing money) to fund the budget.
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The Naira Redesign: In his final months, the botched attempt to redesign the Naira caused a catastrophic cash shortage, bringing the economy to a standstill and causing immense suffering for ordinary citizens.
3. Security: The General Who Couldn’t Stop the Bleeding
A former General, Buhari, was expected to crush Boko Haram in months. While the military did reclaim territories in the Northeast, the security map of Nigeria actually expanded to include new, terrifying threats.
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The Rise of Banditry: What began as local skirmishes in the Northwest exploded into a lucrative kidnapping industry. Mass abductions of schoolchildren (like the Dapchi girls) became a recurring nightmare.
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Farmer-Herder Conflicts: The Middle Belt became a killing field. The government’s proposed “Ruga” (settlement) policy was met with fierce resistance, viewed by many as an ethnic land grab.
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Unknown Gunmen: The Southeast saw a surge in violence linked to secessionist agitations and a heavy-handed military response known as Operation Python Dance.
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Human Rights Violations: The administration was criticized for its disregard for the rule of law, famously ignoring over 40 court orders and presiding over the Zaria Massacre of Shia Muslims.
4. Health and the “Presidential Tourism.”
While the Nigerian healthcare system languished under strikes and poor funding, President Buhari became a frequent resident of London hospitals.
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Medical Leave: Buhari spent over 200 days of his presidency in the UK for undisclosed ailments.
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Brain Drain: Under his watch, thousands of doctors and nurses “Japa-ed” (emigrated), leaving the country with one of the lowest doctor-to-patient ratios in the world.
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COVID-19: The pandemic exposed the fragility of the system. While billions were donated, many Nigerians never saw the promised “palliatives,” which were later discovered hoarded in warehouses across the country.
5. The EndSARS Movement and the Lekki Toll Gate
The defining moment of the Buhari era was the October 2020 EndSARS protest. What began as a youth-led movement against police brutality ended in tragedy.
On the night of October 20, 2020, the Nigerian Army opened fire on peaceful protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate. The president’s subsequent address failed to mention the shootings or offer empathy to the victims, a moment that many believe permanently severed the bond between the government and the youth.
6. The Mystery of the “Cabal” and the “Clone.”
Buhari’s frequent absences and legendary silence led to a vacuum of leadership.
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The Cabal: It was widely believed that a small circle of loyalists, led by the late Chief of Staff Abba Kyari, held the actual reins of power.
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The Sudan Theory: The disconnect was so great that a bizarre conspiracy theory emerged, suggesting Buhari had died and been replaced by a clone named “Jubril from Sudan.” Though false, the fact that millions considered it possible spoke volumes about his perceived absence.
Conclusion: A Legacy of Absence
Muhammadu Buhari’s eight years were a masterclass in the power of silence and the tragedy of unmet expectations. He came as a lion to devour corruption and insecurity, but many feel he left as a spectator to Nigeria’s decline. He asked for forgiveness in his final speech, but for many Nigerians, the scars of those eight years—economic, physical, and emotional—remain unhealed.
His death on July 14, 2025, marked the end of an era. History will likely remember him not for what he did, but for the silence he maintained while Nigeria burned.