Unmasking Buhari’s Troubled Legacy: Missed Opportunities and National Division

When Muhammadu Buhari passed away at age 82, Nigeria bid farewell to a leader whose decades in power revealed a troubling pattern of governance failures that should serve as a warning to any nation valuing freedom and security. Twice at the helm — first as a military dictator, then as a democratically elected president — Buhari’s tenure was defined by missed chances to uplift Africa’s most populous nation and instead deepened divisions that still haunt it.

How Long Will Leadership Ignore the Cries of Its People?

Buhari entered his democratic presidency with unprecedented goodwill but quickly shattered that trust through brutal crackdowns and authoritarian tendencies reminiscent of his military past. In 2020, thousands of Nigerian youths courageously protested against SARS, a police unit notorious for abuses including extrajudicial killings. Instead of embracing reform, Buhari deployed soldiers who shot peaceful protesters in Lagos, killing at least 12. His refusal to acknowledge this violence publicly branded protesters as “rioters”—a stark symbol of Washington-style dismissiveness toward citizens’ legitimate grievances.

This mirrors a dangerous global trend where governments trade liberty for control under the guise of “security,” weakening national sovereignty from within. Ironically, while Nigeria cracked down on social media platforms like Twitter over criticism—suspending access for seven months—the digital voices calling out corruption and injustice only grew louder. This censorship undercuts freedom just as America must defend its own constitutional guarantees against similar threats.

Economic Mismanagement That Hurts Families and Fuels Instability

Buhari’s economic policies further eroded Nigeria’s stability. His border closures aimed at boosting local agriculture sparked inflation surges that squeezed ordinary Nigerians already struggling amid recession periods in 2016 and 2020. Artificial currency pegging worsened the naira’s value and compounded debt burdens that continue to hamper progress today.

These failures underscore an essential lesson for America: true economic prosperity depends on sound policies that empower small businesses and families—not misguided interventions that distort markets and fuel dependency.

Perhaps most alarming was Buhari’s inability to secure Nigeria against Boko Haram insurgents—a menace that expanded its reach during his years in office despite repeated claims they were “technically defeated.” This persistent insecurity displaced millions and cost tens of thousands their lives.

The lesson here is clear: national sovereignty demands leaders who prioritize real security solutions over empty promises. America must remain vigilant against similar threats exploiting weak governance abroad, which can ripple inward through migration pressures or global instability.

As we reflect on Buhari’s complex legacy—a cautionary tale filled with authoritarian echoes cloaked in democratic legitimacy—Americans can draw vital lessons about protecting freedom, fostering economic opportunity, and securing our borders both at home and abroad.