Guinea-Bissau President, Other African Leaders Who Attended Buhari's Burial, Full List Emerges
by Ridwan Adeola, https://www.facebook.com/legitngnews · Legit.ng News · Join- A host of high-profile dignitaries converged in Katsina state for the final rites of Nigeria’s former president, Muhammadu Buhari
- President Umaro Sissoco Embalo of Guinea-Bissau was present at the burial alongside dozens of Nigerian politicians and business leaders
- Buhari, who breathed his last on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at a London hospital, was 82 years of age
Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering public affairs and governance.
Daura, Katsina state - Former president Muhammadu Buhari was finally laid to rest at his residence in Daura, Katsina, Northwest geopolitical zone of Nigeria.
This was followed by funeral prayers and interment attended by numerous dignitaries, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Buhari, who died on Sunday, July 13, 2025, aged 82, was widely popular for what many, especially northerners, saw as his integrity and incorruptibility.
Flags across Nigeria continue to fly at half-mast in honour of the former president, while global tributes pour in from across the globe, including the United Nations (UN), ECOWAS, and Saudi Arabia.
African leaders attend Buhari's burial
Here’s the list of the top African figures who attended Buhari's burial:
1) Guinea-Bissau President
President Umaro Sissoco Embalo was among thousands of people who attended Buhari's funeral rites on Tuesday, July 15, in Daura.
Recall that in 2020, the West African nation of Guinea-Bissau elected Embalo the new president.
Following the election, Embalo and Buhari, the president of Nigeria at the time, met in Abuja.
He was on a ‘thank you’ visit to Buhari at the State House.
2) Niger Republic Prime Minister
Ali Lamine Zeine, the prime minister (PM) of Niger Republic, was also in Katsina to pay his final respects to the late Buhari.
Zeine's arrival showed the close ties between both nations and the relationship he shared with the late ex-Nigerian leader.
3) President Bola Tinubu (Nigeria)
The host president, Bola Tinubu, led senior government officials, Nigerian governors, prominent politicians, and other dignitaries to attend his predecessor's funeral.
The Nigerian leader arrived around 1.48 pm on Tuesday, July 15, and honoured the state burial for Buhari.
Tinubu, 73, was received by Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina state; former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo; governors; ministers; deputy senate president, Jibrin Barau; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; national assembly members; and other top individuals.
4) Ex-Niger Republic president
Issoufou Mahamadou, former President of Niger, attended the burial ceremony of Buhari on Tuesday, July 15.
Legit.ng reports that Issoufou served as the president of Niger from 2011 to 2021.
During his lifetime, Buhari was open about his admiration for Niger Republic, and even boasted during the twilight of his democratic reign in 2023 that the neighbouring country would defend him after he leaves office.
Historian outlines Buhari’s military, civilian legacies
Dr. Olasupo Olakunle Thompson, a historian and political scientist, has said that while former President Muhammadu Buhari had his flaws, his legacy also includes notable achievements both as a military leader and as a civilian president.
“Well, one cannot say that Buhari did not make any positive policy. As a military personnel, he would be remembered for the War Against Indiscipline and corruption, fight in drug among ,” he told Legit.ng.
“He would also be remembered for his time as Petroleum Minister building most of the refineries and one of the pioneer of the present TetFUND formerly known as Education Trust Fund among others.”
Dr. Thompson also noted Buhari’s political resilience:
“As a civilian, he would be remembered for his persistent and tenacious resolve to rule the country. He will be a good bedtime story to those who have tried to succeed and failed several times, and this was why he, at a time, gave up contesting to be president until he tried again in 2015.”
On achievements as civilian president, he said:
“First, infrastructural improvement. The Infrastructure Corporation of Nigeria (InfraCorp) was established by President Buhari in February 2021, with initial seed capital of N1 trillion, provided by the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority, and the Africa Finance Corporation. From roads to train stations, from Abuja to the Niger, oil prospects in Chad Basin, and the school feeding programme.”
Buhari’s efforts on security, health and state bailouts
He also cited efforts in national defence:
“Second, weapons for the military. Under the administration, the presidency stated that hundreds of battle tanks, mine sweepers, armoured fighting vehicles, mountain climber bikes, infantry fighting vehicles, MRAPS, light tanks, and several others have been procured. Most recently in 2023, the Nigerian military acquired 700 brand new troop-carrying vehicles all assembled in Nigeria.”
He continued:
“In addition, it (presidency) stated that 20,000 new police officers were recruited in two tranches of 10,000, while processes for the third batch are ongoing to hit 40,000 in no distant future.”
Dr. Thompson also pointed to major progress in drug control:
“In 2021 and 2022 alone, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency arrested 24,000 drug traffickers, including 29 barons, while 3,400 offenders were convicted. The value of drugs and cash seized came to more than N450 billion, while 772 hectares of cannab!s farms were destroyed.”
He added that Buhari’s administration managed the COVID‑19 pandemic effectively, especially through CACOVID and the Presidential Task Force.
On workers’ welfare, he added:
“The Buhari administration extended more than N2 trillion in bailout packages to states to enable them to meet their salary and pension obligations, especially in the face of dwindling oil revenues in the first three years of the administration.”
Buhari's burial: Katsina governor sheds tears
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Dikko Radda, governor of Katsina state, fought back tears as he stood alongside other prominent individuals at the graveside of Buhari in Daura.
The governor, dressed in native attire, stood close to the gurney bearing the body at Buhari's burial site.
The video of deeply emotional Governor Radda trended on the internet.
Editorial assistant Ololade Olatimehin provided exclusive commentary from a historian for this report.
Proofreading by James Ojo, copy editor at Legit.ng.