As the nation continues to mourn the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari, two of his daughters, Aisha Hanan Buhari and Hadiza Muhammadu Buhari, have expressed deep gratitude to those who forgave their father during his lifetime.
The daughters opened up in an emotional interview with BBC Hausa, offering personal reflections on their late father’s character, legacy, and the lessons he imparted as a parent.
The former president died on Sunday, June 28, 2025, in a London hospital after battling a prolonged illness. His death has sparked an outpouring of tributes from political leaders, friends, and citizens across Nigeria and beyond.
Described by many close to him as a devoted family man and a patriot to the core, Buhari remained actively concerned about Nigeria’s future until his final days. His children have now offered a more intimate portrait of the man behind the presidency.
“A Part of Me Is Gone” – Aisha Hanan Buhari
Speaking during the interview, Aisha Hanan Buhari, affectionately known by many as Hanan, said the loss of her father felt like losing a part of herself. She described Buhari as humorous, warm-hearted, and deeply principled.
“What I’ll miss most about him is his sense of humour. I see him as part of myself,” she said. “To everyone who forgave him while he was alive, we have nothing to say but thank you and thank God.”
She went on to say that her father was a man of sincere intentions, whose commitment to Nigeria and its people remained unshaken throughout his life. Despite the burdens of leadership, she said he remained relatable and always reminded his children of the value of hard work, faith, and happiness.
“He made sure we studied, prayed, and pursued the things that brought us joy,” she added.
“He Taught Us Never to Take What Isn’t Ours” – Hadiza Muhammadu Buhari
Hadiza Muhammadu Buhari, also known as Nana, is the daughter of the late president from a previous marriage. In her own reflections, she shared heartwarming memories that painted a picture of a principled, loving father who raised his children to uphold honesty and self-discipline.
Recounting a visit to her father while he was receiving medical care in London, she recalled one of their last conversations.
“When I told him I was heading back to Nigeria, he smiled and said, ‘Greet Nigerians,’” she said. “That was him always thinking of the people.”
She also narrated a moment from her childhood that left a lasting impression on her. After being sent to buy textbooks with money he provided, she spent some of the leftover change on sweets. When she returned the remaining money, her father gently corrected her.
“He told me it was wrong to spend the change without permission,” she recalled. “He said, ‘When someone sends you on an errand, return the change. If they gift it to you, then it’s yours but don’t ever assume it belongs to you.’ That lesson stayed with me forever.”
Nana described Buhari as a calm and measured man who disliked noise or public confrontations. “He was patient and tolerant. You couldn’t provoke him easily. Even if you insulted him, he wouldn’t react. He’d simply observe quietly,” she said.
A Legacy Rooted in Discipline and Integrity
The late president is survived by his wife, Aisha Buhari, several children, and grandchildren. While public reactions to his legacy remain mixed, his daughters’ accounts shed light on the more personal side of a man many knew only as a military general and politician.
Through their stories, they highlighted his core values honesty, humility, integrity, and discipline values they say he lived by and passed on to them. As tributes continue to pour in, many Nigerians are revisiting both the political and personal dimensions of the late president’s long and controversial journey in public service.
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