By: Damilola Olufemi, Friday Omosola, Hellen Okechukwu
As the curtains drew on the life of former Head of State and Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari at the age of 82, his passing has prompted moments of reflection—leaving an unfading mark that spans from impactful legacy to controversial issues that sparked digital awareness.
The late Buhari assumed office as Head of State between 1984 and 1985, and later returned as a democratically elected President in 2015 and 2019; earning him two terms of eight years as the Grand Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
As most Nigerians feel the weight of his dismissal, New Daily Prime writes on some digital moments of awareness that continue to evoke reflections.
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‘Baba Go Slow’
The late Buhari earned the moniker ‘Baba Go Slow’ following his emergence as Nigeria’s president in 2015, the first opposition candidate in the country’s history to defeat an incumbent president.
Nigerians coined the nickname in reference to Buhari’s sluggish approach to governance, especially his six-month delay in appointing cabinet members, including ministers despite campaign promises to fight corruption, restore security, and revive the economy.
However, in 2019, during a town hall meeting with the Nigerian community in Dubai, Buhari defended the name.
He explained that he was deliberate in his slow pace, saying, “I don’t care if I’m called ‘Baba Go Slow’ as long as I’m not looting the treasury.” He added that his caution stemmed from lessons learnt during his time as a military head of state, when his hasty decisions eventually led to his imprisonment.
‘Lazy Nigerian youths’
One of the most contentious moments of Buhari’s presidency occurred in 2018 at the Commonwealth Business Forum in London.
Speaking during a panel session with global leaders, Buhari described Nigerian youths as idle, claiming many wanted to ‘sit and do nothing’, relying on the country’s oil wealth.
According to him, over 60 per cent of Nigeria’s population was under the age of 30, and many had not attended school.
He alleged that these youths believed they were entitled to free housing, healthcare, and education simply because Nigeria is an oil-producing country.
The remarks sparked outrage on social media, with the hashtag ‘#LazyNigerianYouths’ trending. However, young Nigerians showcased their hard work and productivity in protest.
In a subsequent interview with Voice of America, Buhari attempted to clarify his comments, stating he was referring to ‘a lot of’ youths, not all.
He cited the high rates of school dropouts and unemployment in the North, adding that many youths were left idle due to a lack of opportunities.
Naira redesign policy
Ahead of the 2023 presidential election, Buhari’s administration introduced a controversial naira redesign policy, unveiling new banknotes in a move the government said was aimed at tackling vote-buying and flushing out illicit funds.
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The redesigned notes, launched by Buhari before a Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, were said to contain enhanced security features to prevent counterfeiting.
However, the rollout was chaotic. Banks quickly ran out of cash, and many Nigerians were left unable to access money to buy food or meet basic needs.
The crisis led to widespread hardship, with reports linking several deaths to the cash crunch. The situation persisted until the Supreme Court ruled that the policy was unconstitutional and extended the validity of the old naira notes, effectively restoring order.
I belong to everybody and belong to nobody
In his 2015 speech after he was sworn in, Buhari words of “I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody” was one of the controversial words of his while in office.
He made the statement over his commitment to serving Nigerians without external influence, adding that there would be “no paying off old scores”, laying to rest voiced fears that on coming back to office he would go after some persons.
“These fears are groundless… The past is prologue,” he said.
#EndSARS Lekki Toll Gate shootings
One of the most tragic and controversial events of Buhari’s presidency occurred on 20 October 2020, during the ‘#EndSARS’ protests against police brutality, extortion, and unlawful detentions.
The largely peaceful protest, led by Nigerian youths, with no particular individual as the leader, turned deadly when soldiers allegedly opened fire on unarmed demonstrators at the Lekki toll gate in Lagos.
Despite credible evidence, including live video footage, the Lagos State Government under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu denied the occurrence of any killings. In his nationwide address, Buhari failed to acknowledge the incident, further fuelling public outrage.
His silence was widely criticised as insensitive and deepened mistrust between the government and its citizens. Several Nigerian artistes such as Chike, Burna Boy, and many more memorialised the event in their songs, yet the victims and their families are still awaiting justice.
Twitter ban
In June 2021, the Buhari government banned Twitter, now known as X, after the platform deleted one of the president’s tweets and restricted his account for violating its policies on abusive conduct.
The Nigerian government accused the American tech company of enabling activities that threatened the nation’s unity. The ban rendered the platform inaccessible to Nigerians, many of whom depended on it for business, communication, and activism.
Despite the economic and social disruptions, the government maintained that the action was necessary for national security. Critics, however, saw it as an attempt to silence dissent and control the narrative.
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In January 2022, Buhari lifted the ban after Twitter agreed to certain conditions. The agreement followed months of negotiations led by a presidential committee and a 20-member technical team representing various government agencies.
The company resumed full operations after committing to local content regulations and compliance requirements.
Border closure policy
In a bid to tackle the smuggling of local agricultural products and curb associated corruption, the late President Buhari, in 2019, ordered the closure of Nigeria’s land borders, redirecting all importation to seaports monitored by customs officers. This policy affected traders and led to a spike in the cost of food items, leaving Nigerian citizens to bear the brunt.
Between 2019 and 2020, many Nigerians, unable to cope with the hunger brought about by the decision, vented their frustration on social media, highlighting inflation, border closure, and worsening economic conditions.
By 2020, following numerous dialogues, Buhari lifted the ban on the Seme, Illela, Maigatari, and Mfun borders to facilitate free trade between Nigerian traders and neighbouring countries.
Buhari’s frequent health tourism trips
During his eight-year tenure as president, Buhari’s frequent visits to London for medical treatment drew significant attention and criticism from Nigerians.
His repeated medical trips abroad raised concerns and reignited calls for the revitalisation of Nigeria’s healthcare system. Health professionals often pointed out that most public health facilities in Nigeria suffer from poor funding and a lack of qualified personnel.
‘My wife belongs to the kitchen, other room’
In 2016, responding to criticism from his wife, Aisha Buhari, about his administration, Buhari publicly remarked at a joint press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin:
“I don’t know which party my wife belongs to, but she belongs to my kitchen, my living room, and the other room.”
The statement sparked widespread digital backlash. Many Nigerians, especially women and feminist advocates, found it highly inappropriate and demeaning.
‘Jubril of Sudan’
In 2017, amid Buhari’s prolonged medical trips abroad, a rumour began circulating that the president had died and was secretly replaced by a body double—allegedly named Jubril from Sudan.
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This widespread conspiracy ideology gained traction on various social media spaces, with many Nigerians buying into the claim.
In 2018, in response to the growing speculation, Buhari addressed the rumour at a gathering in Poland, firmly refuting it by declaring he was very much alive and not a clone.
