Former presidential spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu, has said former president, Muhammadu Buhari, turned down offers of extravagant personal gifts, including a diamond-studded wristwatch and a personal aircraft.
Mallam Shehu, who was senior special assistant to the late president on media and publicity between 2015 and 2023, spoke as a guest on Inside Sources on Channels Television on Friday.
Shehu recounted two notable instances where Buhari refused luxury items—one from a prominent Nigerian designer and another from the Emir of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
He described these as a reflection of Buhari’s unwavering integrity throughout his time in office.
According to Shehu, there was an offer of a diamond wristwatch from a Nigerian fashion designer, who is successful on the global stage. And the guy, fascinated by president Muhammadu Buhari, crafted this wristwatch studded with diamonds. Customised, with the picture of the president embossed on it. And he brought it.”
However, Buhari flatly rejected the gift, Shehu disclosed.
“The president looked at it, and he said, ‘Diamond wristwatch? I can’t wear this. Please tell this young Nigerian that he’s doing well for himself. He’s also a good ambassador of the country. We’ll continue to encourage him. Let him please continue to promote the image, the name of this country in his trade. But the wristwatch—take it back to him. I can’t use it.”
Shehu said Buhari’s principled stance extended beyond Nigeria’s borders.
He recounted a moment during an official visit to the UAE in 2016, where the Emir of Abu Dhabi, also the equivalent of the country’s president, made an unusual and generous offer.
“When we went to the United Arab Emirates in 2016, and in Abu Dhabi, which is the capital,” Shehu recalled, “The Emir of Abu Dhabi actually asked the president of UAE, which aircraft did he want? He offered him an aircraft.”
Buhari also refused the gift upon learning it was meant for his personal use and not for the Nigerian government.
“The president said, if it is for my country? I will accept. But the Emir said, “No, it’s for you personally, so that you can also use after you leave office.”
