What Comes After the Burial of a Former President in Nigeria?

Former President Muhammadu Buhari was laid to rest in Daura, Katsina State, following a dignified funeral attended by President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, past heads of state, governors, traditional rulers and foreign envoys.

As the nation paid its final respects, military honours, prayers, and moments of silence, the question now is: what comes after the burial of a former President in Nigeria?

Beyond the ceremony and national mourning, several important steps ensure the late leader’s legacy endures and that both his family and the country move forward with stability and honour.

1. Transition of Benefits and Security

Immediately after the burial, government agencies finalise the former president’s entitlements. Under the Pension Reform Act, Buhari’s widow and any dependent children continue receiving the monthly presidential pension, housing allowance, and security stipends.

At the same time, his dedicated security detail is gradually scaled back but remains in place until regulations allow for a full stand-down, ensuring the family’s safety during this sensitive period of adjustment.

2. Archiving Papers and Personal Effects

In the weeks that follow, a formal handover of all official documents takes place. White papers, correspondence, speeches, memos and photographs are transferred to the National Archives or a designated presidential library.

These records are then digitised, making them accessible to researchers, students and historians eager to study Buhari’s policies, decisions and the broader impact of his administration on Nigeria’s history.

3. Posthumous Honours and Memorials

To honour Buhari’s life of service, both government and private groups may bestow additional awards or recognitions. The Federal Executive Council can approve state honours posthumously, while select roads, bridges, schools or hospitals might be renamed in his memory.

In communities across Katsina and beyond, statues or plaques often appear at sites in his career, serving as tangible reminders of the values he championed.

4. Establishment of a Foundation or Scholarship

A lasting way to preserve Buhari’s vision is through a charitable foundation or scholarship fund. Often set up by the family in partnership with civic leaders, such a foundation advances causes dear to the late president, whether in agriculture, security reform or youth empowerment.

Scholarship programs in his name help talented students from underprivileged backgrounds pursue higher education, creating leaders who carry forward his legacy of discipline and service.

5. Academic and Public Debates

In lecture halls, think‑tank seminars and media panels, experts dissect Buhari’s tenure. Universities may host conferences analysing his anti‑corruption campaigns and economic reforms, while documentarians and biographers produce films and books that chronicle his life.

These public debates not only enrich national understanding but also inspire future policymakers to learn from both their achievements and shortcomings.