The Federal Government has formally announced a comprehensive state burial programme for the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away in London on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at the age of 82.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Monday afternoon, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed that an Inter-Ministerial Committee has been constituted to oversee the burial arrangements.
He said the committee, chaired by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, will work in collaboration with the Katsina State Government and the Buhari family to ensure a dignified and seamless national farewell.
Idris stated that the committee includes the Ministers of Finance, Defence, Interior, Information, Works, Federal Capital Territory, Budget and Planning, State for Health, Housing, and Culture, as well as the National Security Adviser, the Inspector General of Police, the Director-General of the DSS, the Chief of Defence Staff, and Special Advisers to the President on Policy, Political, and other matters.
The Permanent Secretary of the General Services Office (GSO) will serve as Secretary to the Committee.
He further announced that 25 members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) have been directed to proceed to Katsina State to participate in the full schedule of events, including the Third-Day (Fiddau) Prayers in Daura on Wednesday, July 16.
The Minister said the remains of the former President were expected to arrive in Katsina by 12 noon on Tuesday, July 15, where a brief military ceremony will be held at the airport.
“President Bola Tinubu will personally receive the body before it proceeds to Daura for the Jana’iza (Islamic funeral prayer) and interment at Buhari’s residence,” he added.
The Minister emphasised that President Tinubu has declared seven days of national mourning, effective from Sunday, July 13, during which the national flag will fly at half-mast across the country. State governments and private institutions have been directed to comply.
Additionally, Tuesday, July 15, has been declared a public holiday in honour of the late statesman.
He also noted that the Special FEC Meeting, earlier scheduled for Tuesday, has been rescheduled to Friday, July 18, 2025, to allow full participation in the burial rites.
He stated that a high-level delegation, led by Vice President Kashim Shettima, is currently in London to finalise repatriation logistics. Meanwhile, President Tinubu continues to receive condolence messages from world leaders, reflecting Buhari’s global influence and legacy.
Idris added that the President has directed that condolence registers be opened in all Federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, as well as at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja and at Nigerian embassies and missions abroad.
The Federal Government has urged all Nigerians to join in prayer and solemn reflection as the nation prepares to bid farewell to a leader who served Nigeria both as a military ruler and as a democratically elected president.
