Former President Buhari Falls Sick, Undergoes Treatment in London Hospital

Nigerian former President Muhammadu Buhari, is currently undergoing medical treatment in London, according to multiple reports on Thursday.

Buhari, 82, has been abroad since April after he left office on 29 May 2023 on completing his two terms.

Multiple sources close to the family, said initially he travelled to the United Kingdom for what was described as a routine medical check-up but later became unwell.

According to PREMIUM TIMES report, Mr Buhari’s longtime spokesperson, Garba Shehu, confirmed the development.

“Following your enquiry, I wish to state as follows: It is true that the former president, Muhammadu Buhari, is unwell. He has been receiving treatment in the UK,” Shehu said.

“You would recall he made it known that he was going for his annual medical check-up. He became ill there, but I am happy to announce to you that he is doing well in his recovery while receiving treatment. We pray for his healthy recovery.”

The nature of Mr Buhari’s illness and the name of the hospital where he is being treated have not been disclosed. However, this latest development is likely to revive public attention on his history of prolonged medical stays abroad during his time in office.

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“There are conflicting reports about when exactly he became ill,” one source revealed. “Some say he fell ill in Nigeria and was flown out. Others insist he only took ill after arriving in London for regular medical checks.”

Between 2015 and 2023, Mr Buhari frequently sought medical care in London a practice that attracted criticism and sparked debate over the state of Nigeria’s healthcare system. Some notable instances include:

February 2016: His first medical trip to London for an undisclosed ailment raised concerns about Nigeria’s health infrastructure.

June 2016: He travelled again to the UK for an ear infection, drawing criticism from the Nigerian Medical Association for sidelining local medical expertise.

January 2017: He spent 50 days in London for what was described as “routine medical check-ups,” with his office later extending the stay without details of his condition.

May 2017: He embarked on his longest medical leave, spending 104 days in London, which sparked intense public concern about his ability to govern.

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At the height of his medical treatment during his presidency, an apartment was reportedly secured near his London hospital to facilitate discreet access to care.

Sources say his health improved significantly after leaving office but deteriorated again in April 2025, leading to his continued stay abroad for treatment.

Since stepping down, Mr Buhari has largely kept a low profile in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State. His prolonged absence has now raised questions about his recovery and whether he plans to return to Nigeria soon.

As of press time, the Nigerian government has not issued an official statement regarding his condition.