By Julius Akpovire
In a deeply somber twist of fate, Nigeria has lost two towering figures, former President Muhammadu Buhari and the revered Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, who both passed away on Sunday, July 13, 2025.
The pair, known not only for their immense contributions to the Nigerian nation but also for their long-standing friendship, departed the world within hours of each other.
Buhari, aged 82, died in a London clinic after an undisclosed illness.
His passing was announced by his former spokesperson, Garba Shehu, via his personal X (formerly Twitter) account: “INNA LILLAHI WA INNA ILAIHIRRAJIUUN. The family of the former president has announced the passing on of the former president, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, this afternoon in a clinic in London. May Allah accept him in Aljannatul Firdaus, Amin.”
While earlier whispers of his deteriorating health had circulated online, former aide Bashir Ahmad had recently attempted to reassure the public, stating that Buhari was receiving treatment but was not in critical condition.
Tragically, before the nation could fully process the loss of one of its most consequential political figures, another heavy blow landed: the death of Oba Sikiru Adetona, the Awujale of Ijebuland.
He died peacefully at the age of 91.
Born on May 10, 1934, and enthroned on April 2, 1960, Oba Adetona reigned for over six remarkable decades, making him one of Nigeria’s longest-serving and most beloved traditional rulers.
He was a custodian not just of Ijebu heritage but of Nigerian history itself . His reign stretches across independence, civil war, military dictatorships, and the birth and rebirth of democracy.
A prince of the House of Anikinaiya, Oba Adetona was a beacon of cultural pride and social reform, often speaking truth to power and remaining one of the few traditional rulers who maintained relevance, grace, and authenticity across generations.
The dual loss of Buhari and Oba Adetona, two men born in the 1930s, each leaving indelible imprints on Nigeria’s political and cultural landscapes, represents more than a national tragedy; it marks the end of a historic chapter in the Nigerian story.
Their friendship was forged in mutual understanding and shared values.
While Buhari led the country through turbulent times as a military ruler (1983–1985) and later as a democratically elected president (2015–2023), Oba Adetona remained a steady moral compass, revered for his integrity, boldness, and counsel.
Together, they embodied two worlds, the modern state and the ancient throne, walking side by side through the pages of Nigerian history.
Condolences have been pouring in from across the federation and the global Nigerian diaspora.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in an emotional tribute, called their deaths a “painful double blow to the soul of our nation.”
As Nigeria mourns the twilight of two monumental lives, their legacies will undoubtedly endure for generations.
Akpovire, a journalist writes from Lagos, Nigeria