Muhammadu Buhari, a retired Nigerian Army Major General, served as the 15th President of Nigeria from 2015 to 2023. His political career is marked by a unique trajectory, having previously served as the military Head of State from 1983 to 1985 after leading a military coup.
Born in Daura, Katsina State, in 1942, Buhari’s military background and a reputation for incorruptibility defined his public image. After his military rule, he contested the presidential elections unsuccessfully in 2003, 2007, and 2011, before finally clinching victory in 2015 under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
This marked the first time an incumbent president was defeated in Nigeria’s democratic history.
During his two terms as president, Buhari’s administration prioritized three key areas: security, the economy, and the fight against corruption. He oversaw efforts to curb the Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East, initiated significant infrastructure projects including rail lines and roads, and pushed for reforms in the oil and gas sector with the passage of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
His presidency, while facing economic challenges and security issues like banditry, also saw efforts to improve ease of doing business and strengthen anti-corruption institutions.