President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday presided over a special session of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) convened in honour of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, who died on July 13, 2025, at the age of 82.
The session drew a wide array of top officials across the three arms of government, including members of the executive, legislature, judiciary, and representatives of the late president’s family. The meeting started at 5:27 p.m., when President Tinubu entered the chamber.
According to the official schedule, tributes to Buhari were to be delivered by a lineup of national figures, beginning with Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen. Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, was also listed to speak, along with Kwara State Governor and Nigerian Governors Forum Chairman, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
Other speakers included Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare Muhammad Ali Pate, Minister of Solid Minerals Dele Alake, Minister of Women Affairs Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, and Minister of Works David Umahi. Yusuf Buhari was scheduled to speak on behalf of the family.
The expanded meeting served as the government’s final formal tribute to Buhari, who was described by President Tinubu in earlier condolences as “a patriot, a soldier and a statesman” dedicated to Nigeria’s unity and advancement.
The President had originally planned the cabinet tribute for Tuesday, but postponed it to allow for participation in Buhari’s burial rites. Earlier, Tinubu had directed national flags to be flown at half-mast across the country in mourning.
Buhari passed away in a London hospital after a prolonged illness. His remains were received with full military honours upon arrival in Katsina before being transported to Daura for interment on July 15, in accordance with Islamic tradition.
