Former First Lady Aisha Buhari Returns to Nigeria, Urges National Unity After Husband’s Death

On December 9, 2025, Aisha Muhammadu Buhari, the former First Lady of Nigeria, made a quiet but powerful return to her homeland after more than two years based in Dubai. Hosting a closed-door gathering of the wives of top federal officials in Abuja, she delivered a 45-minute address that resonated far beyond the room — calling for peace, resilience, and unity in a nation still reeling from the recent death of her husband, former President Muhammadu Buhari.

A Quiet Return, A Loud Message

Aisha Buhari, born Aisha Halilu Garba on November 22, 1971, in Kaduna State, hasn’t been seen publicly in Nigeria since leaving office on May 29, 2023, when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was sworn in. Her time in Dubai, while never officially confirmed, had become the subject of speculation — fueled by rumors of marital separation, which were firmly denied in 2024 after academic Farooq Kperogi retracted a viral Facebook post claiming the couple had divorced. "To Mrs. Aisha Buhari, I offer my heartfelt and unreserved apology," Kperogi wrote, acknowledging the harm caused by his unverified claim.

Her return wasn’t marked by fanfare, but by substance. The gathering brought together spouses of cabinet ministers, agency heads, and senior presidential advisers under the banner of the Wives of Top Federal Government Officials consortium. No cameras were allowed. No press releases issued. Yet, the message she delivered was unmistakable: Nigeria’s future depends on cohesion, not division.

"Nigeria is a resilient nation that has weathered numerous storms throughout its history," she told the group, according to an attendee who spoke on condition of anonymity. "And I have absolute faith that our beloved country will triumph over the current challenges we face."

From Apology to Advocacy: A Political Legacy

This wasn’t her first public stance since leaving the palace. On October 30, 2025, she appeared at a women’s forum in Lagos, urging political parties to nominate women as running mates — a rare, direct challenge to Nigeria’s male-dominated political machinery. It was a continuation of a pattern: bold, unapologetic, often polarizing.

Back in 2022, she stunned the nation by publicly apologizing for her husband’s administration’s shortcomings — a move few would have expected from a First Lady. "I’m sorry if we let you down," she said then, according to Sahara Reporters. It was a moment of vulnerability that humanized her in a way few political figures ever do.

Her tenure as First Lady from 2015 to 2023 was defined by both controversy and conviction. She championed maternal health, launched the She Leads initiative, and didn’t shy away from criticizing corruption — even within her own circle. "Love her or hate her," noted The Nigerian Voice, "Aisha Buhari’s boldness left a mark that will remain in Nigeria’s political memory for decades."

Death of a President, A New Chapter

The death of former President Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away in late 2025 while still holding the title of former head of state, changed the emotional landscape. The Senators’ Wives Association of Nigeria (SEWAN) issued a formal condolence note, calling his death "shocking and sad." For many Nigerians, his passing wasn’t just the loss of a leader — it was the end of an era.

Aisha’s return now, amid economic strain, security crises, and rising political tensions, feels intentional. She isn’t seeking office. She isn’t endorsing candidates. But she’s reminding the elite — the wives of those who shape policy — that leadership isn’t just about power. It’s about responsibility.

What This Means for Nigeria

Her presence signals something deeper: that the influence of former First Ladies doesn’t vanish when the title does. In countries like the U.S. and Kenya, former First Ladies have become powerful advocates on health, education, and gender equity long after leaving the White House or State House. Aisha Buhari may be doing the same in Nigeria — quietly, deliberately, from the shadows.

The fact that she chose to host the wives of current officials — not opposition figures, not civil society — suggests she’s aiming to build bridges within the corridors of power. These women have access. They influence. They host dinners where decisions are whispered. She’s speaking directly to those who can nudge policy toward peace.

And it’s working. Within 24 hours of the event, at least three ministers’ wives publicly echoed her call for unity on social media. One, the wife of the Minister of Finance, posted: "She didn’t ask for applause. She asked for action. We’re listening."

What’s Next?

There are no announced public events yet. No new foundation. No campaign. But sources close to her suggest she’s considering a long-term initiative focused on conflict resolution training for women in northern Nigeria — a region still grappling with Boko Haram’s legacy and intercommunal violence.

Her return isn’t a comeback. It’s a continuation. And it’s happening exactly when Nigeria needs it most.