By Punch Nigeria on July 14, 2025

Tributes to the late former President, Muhammadu Buhari, have begun to pour in the Nigerian sports sector after the ex-helmsman of Nigeria died in a UK hospital at the age of 82 on Sunday, The PUNCH reports.

The Super Falcons led the way with a minute’s silence before the kick-off of their last WAFCON group game against Algeria in Casablanca, Morocco.

Buhari’s passing was confirmed hours before the kickoff of the game.

The Falcons filed out at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium with the intent of ending their group stage campaign on a perfect note, and they began by honouring the late former president.

“A minute of silence was observed before kickoff in honour of former President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away today (Sunday). May his soul rest in peace,” the team also wrote via X.

Veteran journalist, Toyin Ibitoye, who also worked with former sports minister, Sunday Dare, also recounted the reforms to make the sports sector more efficient under Buhari’s reign.

“He made very telling contributions to sports. As somebody who worked with the former sports minister during his administration, I remember former President Buhari was always available to help sports with presidential interventions to major competitions,” Ibitoye told The PUNCH.

“There was no request that he turned down. He was approving and was always there to always support the programmes. He was also actively involved in the 10-year master plan to reform Nigerian football.

“It was under the Buhari administration that the Federal Executive Council approved the sports as business policy.”

The 82-year-old politician served as military head of state between January 1984 and August 1985.

He contested the presidency three times unsuccessfully, in 2003, 2007, and 2011, before clinching victory in 2015 under the platform of the All Progressives Congress, defeating then-incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan.

He was re-elected in 2019 and completed his second term in 2023.

Buhari’s 2015 inauguration marked a turning point in Nigeria’s democratic history, as it was the first time an opposition candidate unseated a sitting president through the ballot.

Throughout his service, he was decorated with several honours including the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic, Commander of the Federal Republic, and military medals such as the Defence Service Medal, National Service Medal, and the Forces Service Star.

Source Punch Ng

Posted July 14, 2025

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