FG Announces State Burial Plans for Buhari, Declares Tuesday Public Holiday

From Moshood Karim

The Federal Government has unveiled a detailed programme for the state burial of Nigeria’s late former President, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, who passed away in London on Saturday at the age of 82.

Addressing a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, announced the constitution of an Inter-Ministerial Committee by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to coordinate the burial activities in collaboration with the Katsina State Government and the family of the late president.

The Committee is chaired by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, CON, and includes key cabinet members, security chiefs, and presidential advisers. The General Services Office of the SGF will serve as the Secretariat for the Committee.

To ensure high-level representation at the burial, 25 Federal Executive Council (FEC) members have been directed to travel to Katsina and remain through to the Third-Day Prayers in Daura, scheduled for Wednesday, 16 July 2025.

President Tinubu has declared seven days of national mourning, which began on Sunday, 13 July. During this period, the national flag will be flown at half-mast across Nigeria, and all state governments and private institutions have been directed to comply. In addition, Tuesday, 15 July 2025, has been declared a public holiday.

The special Federal Executive Council meeting originally planned for Tuesday has been rescheduled to Friday, 18 July, to allow cabinet members to participate fully in the funeral rites.

According to Minister Idris, a high-powered federal delegation led by Vice-President Kashim Shettima is currently in London finalising arrangements for the repatriation of Buhari’s remains. His body is expected to arrive in Katsina by 12 noon on Tuesday.

A brief military ceremony will be held at the airport in Katsina, where President Tinubu will receive the remains before they are moved to Daura. The funeral prayer (Jana’iza) and interment will take place at the late President’s residence in his hometown.

The government has also directed that condolence registers be opened in all Ministries, Departments and Agencies, as well as at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja and at Nigerian embassies and missions abroad.

President Tinubu has continued to receive condolence messages from world leaders, underlining Buhari’s global profile and the impact of his leadership on the African continent and beyond.

As Nigerians prepare to bid farewell to one of the country’s most prominent statesmen, the Federal Government has urged all citizens to join in solemn reflection and prayer for the repose of the late President’s soul.