By Deborah Nnamdi
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday presided over a special session of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) held in honour of former President Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away on July 13, 2025, at the age of 82.
The solemn session—an expanded FEC meeting—was convened at the Council Chamber of the State House, Abuja, and brought together the nation’s political leadership and members of the late President’s family. The meeting comes just two days after Buhari was laid to rest in his hometown, Daura, Katsina State.
Originally scheduled for Tuesday, the commemorative session was moved to Thursday to allow the President and top government officials to attend the state funeral ceremonies and the fidau (third-day prayer) held earlier in the week.
The session began at 5:27 p.m. with the arrival of President Tinubu. Yusuf Buhari, eldest son of the late President, led three of his siblings into the chamber at about 5:15 p.m., ahead of the President’s entrance.
In attendance were leaders of the National Assembly, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, Chief Justice of Nigeria Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, governors, ministers, and other top government functionaries. Representatives of the late President’s family were also present.
According to the official programme, tributes were to be delivered in the following order: Senate President Akpabio; Speaker Abbas; Chief Justice Kekere-Ekun; Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum and Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning Abubakar Atiku Bagudu; Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare Muhammad Ali Pate; Minister of Solid Minerals Development Dele Alake; Minister of Women Affairs Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim; Minister of Works David Umahi; and finally, Yusuf Buhari, speaking on behalf of the family.
This marks the first such commemorative cabinet session since Tinubu assumed office in 2023. The President had earlier directed all national flags to be flown at half-mast across the country in honour of his predecessor.
Former President Muhammadu Buhari died in a London hospital following a prolonged illness, according to the Presidency. His remains were flown back to Nigeria and accorded full military honours in Katsina before being interred in Daura on July 15 by Islamic rites.
In a condolence message released shortly after Buhari’s death, President Tinubu described him as “a patriot, a soldier, and a statesman” who lived a life marked by duty, honour, and unwavering dedication to Nigeria’s unity and progress.
