Former Nigerian Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, and ex-President Muhammadu Buhari are both reportedly battling serious health conditions in London, United Kingdom, according to a high-level source on Saturday.
A source from the Presidency disclosed that both former leaders are “dying and dealing with undisclosed illnesses,” which have been worsened by advanced age.
“The former Head of State, Abdulsalami, has been hospitalised in the UK for over five months now,” the source said.
“On the other hand, Buhari has been in and out of the Intensive Care Unit of UK hospitals in recent weeks,” he added.
In response to the development, President Bola Tinubu reportedly directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to visit the ailing former leaders and offer government support for their treatment.
Although there was no official public disclosure on the specifics of their medical conditions, a Presidency source disclosed that Buhari is allegedly battling a serious intestinal disorder, while Abdulsalami is facing complications associated with aging.
Vice President Shettima, who had been in Ethiopia on the invitation of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali for the launch of the Green Legacy Initiative and agricultural development discussions, was said to have redirected his travel plans to London following news of Buhari’s condition.
“The President wanted Shettima to convey his goodwill message, ensure Buhari’s needs were being met, and report back on his recovery,” the source explained.
However, Buhari’s former media aide, Bashir Ahmad, rejected reports that the former President was in critical condition.
“In light of the recent media reports suggesting that former President Muhammadu Buhari is critically ill and has been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), we find it necessary to set the record straight.
“It is true that former President Buhari is unwell and is currently receiving medical attention. However, contrary to the exaggerated claims circulating in the media, he is stable and responding well to treatment and we are optimistic about his full recovery.
“We appreciate the outpouring of prayers and goodwill from his supporters and well-wishers around the world. We continue to pray for his complete and speedy recovery,” Ahmad said in a statement posted on X.
According to sources, Shettima arrived in London early Monday and spent hours with Buhari in the hospital. During the visit, he reportedly connected Buhari with President Tinubu over a phone call. Shettima also took the opportunity to visit General Abdulsalami Abubakar, who is also said to be recuperating in London.
“Vice President Kashim Shettima flew to London on Sunday night, arriving in the early hours of Monday. He visited the former President in the hospital and spent hours with him after delivering President Tinubu’s message of concern and wishes for a quick recovery.
“As a matter of fact, I think the Vice President connected both the President and his predecessor on a call before leaving the ailing former President. I am told he also visited former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, who at the time was also in London recuperating,” the source said.
Despite these revelations, the visit has not been publicly acknowledged. When contacted, Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President), neither confirmed nor denied the hospital visits.
“I do not know where you got your story from. I am just hearing about General Buhari and General Abdulsalami Abubakar’s visit from you. Anyway, yes, the VP was in London but on a purely private visit and came back to Nigeria the same Monday,” he said.
“And since it was a private visit which I was not privy to, his engagements or lack thereof would remain in the realm of speculation, and hence the publicising or not of such a visit cannot come up.”
Buhari’s health has long been a subject of national debate, especially during his presidency when his frequent medical trips abroad — particularly to the UK — drew public criticism. One of the most controversial episodes was his prolonged 104-day absence in 2017 for undisclosed medical reasons.
Throughout his eight-year presidency, Buhari was known for relying heavily on medical care overseas. Despite earlier pledges to curb medical tourism and improve Nigeria’s healthcare system, he made multiple extended trips to the UK for treatment, including visits in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022, and his final known trip in 2023 — shortly after attending King Charles III’s coronation.
Estimates suggest that Buhari spent over 230 days abroad for health-related reasons while in office, with the cost of these trips — including jet maintenance — estimated between ₦1.1 billion and ₦5.4 billion, excluding medical fees and travel delegations.
These frequent absences and lack of transparency about his health were widely criticized by civil society groups, health professionals, and political opponents. Dr. Osahon Enabulele, then president of the World Medical Association, described the situation as a “national shame,” while activists like Omoyele Sowore lambasted Buhari for failing to build a single world-class hospital in Nigeria.
Despite the backlash, Buhari consistently defended his foreign medical visits, citing trust in his long-standing UK doctors and the need for consistent treatment — while offering few details about his actual condition.
SaharaReporters.
