Nigeria has declared Tuesday a national public holiday in honour of former President Muhammadu Buhari, who died in London at the age of 82 after years of battling illness. The announcement came as President Bola Tinubu extended the national mourning period and finalised plans for Buhari’s burial in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State.

The former head of state, who passed away in a London clinic on Sunday, will be laid to rest on Tuesday in accordance with Islamic traditions.

Katsina Governor Dikko Radda, who travelled to the UK to be with Buhari’s family, confirmed that the late president’s body will arrive in Nigeria by midday and the burial will take place at 2pm.

“What I have gathered so far is that the corpse will arrive 12pm tomorrow [Tuesday] and the burial will happen by 2pm,” Radda said.

The federal government cited the day as one for national reflection, noting Buhari’s leadership and principles. “This public holiday provides an opportunity for all Nigerians to reflect on his life, leadership, and the values he upheld,” the interior minister said in a statement.

Officials clarified that the funeral, initially scheduled for Monday, had been postponed due to logistical issues. Buhari’s remains will be flown directly to Katsina airport and transported to Daura, located about 80 kilometres away, for the final rites.

Although he served as both a military and civilian president, there will be no state funeral. According to Islamic cleric Abdullahi Garangamawa, Buhari will receive a simple and swift burial as prescribed by Islamic teachings.

Buhari’s home in Daura has already filled with mourners, including family, close friends and well-wishers, as they await the arrival of his body. Vice-President Kashim Shettima confirmed that Buhari died following a brief illness, without giving further details.

President Tinubu, who succeeded Buhari in 2023, is expected to attend the funeral prayer in Daura. In his official condolence message, Tinubu announced a seven-day national mourning period and directed that all flags across the country be flown at half-mast starting Sunday.

The death of the former leader has sparked an outpouring of tributes from across Nigeria’s political spectrum and beyond. Buhari, remembered for his integrity and austere lifestyle, remains the only opposition candidate to have unseated a sitting president in the country’s history, having defeated Goodluck Jonathan in 2015.

Jonathan praised Buhari for his dedication to duty, saying, “He was selfless in his commitment to his duty and served the country with character and a deep sense of patriotism.”

Former military ruler General Ibrahim Babangida, who ousted Buhari in a 1985 coup, also paid tribute. “He is a man who, even in retirement, remained a moral compass to many, and an example of modesty in public life,” Babangida said.

As the country prepares to lay to rest one of its most prominent leaders, attention has turned to Daura, where final arrangements are underway and the nation gets ready to say goodbye to a man who left a lasting mark on Nigeria’s history.