Nigeria was cast into mourning on Sunday as the nation grappled with the loss of two towering figures, former President Muhammadu Buhari and the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona who died just hours apart, leaving behind a double void in the country’s political and traditional institutions.
President Buhari, 82, passed away in a London hospital after a prolonged illness. Not long after, news broke from Ogun State that Oba Adetona, one of Nigeria’s most respected monarchs, had also died at the age of 91. The convergence of these two deaths on the same day, July 13, 2025 sent shockwaves across the nation and beyond, prompting reflection on their profound contributions to national life.
Buhari, known for his strict discipline, anti-corruption crusade, and spartan personal lifestyle, first ruled Nigeria as a military head of state from 1984 to 1985 before returning as a democratically elected president in 2015, serving until 2023. His leadership style was as revered as it was criticised, but in death, tributes from every corner of the country converged in a rare moment of collective respect.
Former Presidents Goodluck Jonathan, Olusegun Obasanjo, and Ibrahim Babangida were among the first to pay tribute. Jonathan described him as “a courageous leader who served with character and conviction.” Obasanjo remembered him as “a comrade and patriot.” Babangida, who ousted Buhari in a 1985 coup, reflected on their brotherhood and shared military roots, calling him “a man of deep faith and purpose.”
Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who served closely with Buhari for eight years, praised his legacy of public service marked by “honesty, discipline, and deep patriotism.” Atiku Abubakar, Buhari’s longtime political rival, acknowledged his unwavering commitment to national unity and described him as “a soldier of principle.” Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajuddeen Abbas, hailed him as “one of Nigeria’s most incorruptible leaders.”
In Katsina, his home state, Governor Dikko Radda declared the president’s death “the end of an era,” describing Buhari as a leader who never lost touch with his roots. Other governors across Nigeria, including Alex Otti and Ademola Adeleke, described him as a symbol of integrity whose values shaped governance at all levels.
The international community also mourned. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the WTO, expressed sorrow and appreciation for Buhari’s support in securing her global appointment. Akinwumi Adesina, head of the African Development Bank, thanked Buhari for backing his leadership and described him as a patriot who believed deeply in Nigeria’s promise.
Just as the nation was coming to terms with Buhari’s passing, news emerged from Ijebu-Ode that Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona had also died. His reign, which began in 1960, coincided with Nigeria’s independence and lasted 65 years, making him the longest-serving monarch in Southern Nigeria. His leadership turned Ijebuland into a cultural and commercial beacon, with the Ojude Oba festival gaining international acclaim under his watch.
Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State called the monarch “the soul of Ijebuland,” praising his transformative leadership and cultural stewardship. Oba Adetona’s reign was defined by his commitment to education, tradition, and political engagement. Never one to shy away from speaking truth to power, he remained a respected voice on national matters throughout his life.
Born into royalty but revered far beyond it, Oba Adetona represented continuity, wisdom, and reform within the traditional system. He stood as a bridge between Nigeria’s past and present, blending royal responsibilities with progressive values. His death marks not just the end of a reign, but the departure of a cultural icon.
To lose both Buhari and Adetona on the same day feels like history drawing a curtain on a certain kind of Nigerian leadership, rooted in sacrifice, command, and a deep sense of duty. One ruled from the state house, the other from the palace, yet both left legacies that reshaped Nigeria in lasting ways.
As flags fly at half-mast and condolence books fill up from Daura to Ijebu-Ode, Nigeria pauses not only to mourn but to reckon with what these two men meant in a time of transition and uncertainty. Their absence will be deeply felt across institutions, regions, and generations.
President Muhammadu Buhari will be buried today in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State, where political leaders from across Nigeria, Africa, and around the world are expected to gather in honour of a man whose life helped define a nation.
